Lesson Plan: Examining Timothy Snyder’s “Decapitation Strike”

Each of Trump’s proposed appointments is a surprise. It is comforting to think that he is simply a vengeful old man, lashing out this way and that. This is unlikely. He and Musk and Putin have been talking for years. And the whole idea of his campaign was that this time he had a plan. Timothy Snyder

Lesson Objectives

1. Analyze the central argument and supporting evidence in Snyder’s article.
2. Identify and evaluate the use of literary devices such as tone, metaphor, and rhetorical appeals.
3. Explore the themes of democracy, governance, and public accountability.
4. Develop critical thinking by debating whether the article’s claims represent a real threat or are exaggerated.
5. Formulate responses to the implicit and explicit calls to action presented in the text.

The full text is here.

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Part 1: Introduction (Topic & Background)

Activities:

1. Warm-up Discussion:
   • Begin by asking students what they know about government appointments and their significance.
   • Discuss recent debates around the role of partisanship in governance.
2. Contextual Background:
   • Provide a brief summary of Snyder’s article, emphasizing the key areas of health, law, defense, and intelligence.
   • Discuss the idea of a “decapitation strike” as a metaphor and introduce its military origins.

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Part 2: Literary Analysis

Focus Areas:

• Tone and Mood:
  • Discuss how Snyder’s tone combines urgency with forewarning.
  • Ask students: How does the tone influence the reader’s perception of the article’s credibility?
• Metaphor & Rhetoric:
  • Analyze the metaphor of a “decapitation strike” and its implications for understanding Snyder’s argument.
  • Discuss Snyder’s use of shock and surprise as rhetorical devices to engage readers.
• Appeals to Logos, Pathos, and Ethos:
  • Identify examples of logical arguments (logos), emotional appeals (pathos), and credibility-building (ethos).
  • How does Snyder balance these appeals to make his argument persuasive?

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Part 3: Thematic Exploration

Key Themes to Discuss:

1. Democracy and Its Pillars:
   • How do health, law, and intelligence contribute to democratic governance?
   • What risks emerge when these systems are undermined?
2. Oligarchy and Chaos:
   • Examine Snyder’s argument that the appointments could serve oligarchic interests.
   • What historical examples of similar patterns can students identify?
3. Citizen Responsibility:
   • What does Snyder suggest about the role of citizens and officials in preventing governance breakdown?

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Part 4: Evaluating the Threat

Discussion Question: Is Snyder’s warning exaggerated or a legitimate concern?

1. Group Debate: Divide students into two groups: arguing that the appointments are an existential threat and claiming the concern is overblown.
   • Use examples from Snyder’s article and recent political history.
2. Reflection Writing: After the debate, students write a short response summarizing their opinion and supporting it with evidence.

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Part 5: Call to Action

Activity: Recognizing and Responding to Calls for Action

1. Critical Analysis of the Call to Action:
   • What does Snyder explicitly ask readers to do?
   • Is his call achievable and realistic?
2. Student Response:
   • Brainstorm concrete steps citizens can take to ensure democratic accountability in governance.
   • Have students draft a letter to a public official or a blog post expressing their thoughts on democratic preservation.

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Part 6: Wrap-Up & Homework

Wrap-Up:

• Revisit the metaphor of a “decapitation strike.”
• Ask students to summarize Snyder’s main argument and reflect on its significance for current and future governance.

Essay topics

Political and Governance Themes

1. The Fragility of Democracy:
   Explore how strategic appointments in key governance areas can undermine democratic institutions. Use examples from history and Snyder’s analysis to discuss what safeguards are necessary to protect democratic structures.

Historical and Comparative Perspectives

1. Lessons from History: Regime Change and State Collapse:
   Compare the “decapitation strike” described by Snyder with historical examples of regime change or state collapse. What parallels or divergences can be drawn?
2. Authoritarianism vs. Democracy in the 21st Century:
   Examine how modern democracies are vulnerable to authoritarian tactics. Use Snyder’s article as a lens to analyze contemporary global examples.

Media, Rhetoric, and Disinformation

1. The Role of Media in Resisting Authoritarianism:
   Investigate how media narratives can either enable or resist authoritarian efforts. How does Snyder argue for clarity and leverage in journalism?

Literary and Rhetorical Analysis

1. Analyzing Snyder’s Use of Rhetoric:
   Evaluate Snyder’s use of language, metaphor, and historical analogy to argue his points. How do these rhetorical strategies strengthen or weaken his case?

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The post by Timothy Snyder discusses the implications of Donald Trump’s proposed appointments for his administration, framing them as a coordinated effort to undermine the foundations of American democracy. Snyder argues that each appointment is part of a broader strategy to dismantle critical areas of governance, including health, law, administration, defense, and intelligence. Key points include:

• Surprise and Shock: Snyder emphasizes that the shock of these appointments is part of a deliberate plan rather than random choices. He warns against complacency and urges people to recognize the underlying patterns.
• Health and Law: He highlights the importance of health and the rule of law as pillars of democracy. Appointees like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threaten public health, while figures like Matt Gaetz embody lawlessness that could erode legal institutions.
• Defense and Intelligence: Proposed appointees such as Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard represent a shift towards using military and intelligence services for internal oppression rather than national security. Their lack of relevant experience raises concerns about their ability to protect American interests.
• Systematic Destruction: Snyder describes these appointments as a “decapitation strike” against the government, suggesting they are designed to create chaos and facilitate the interests of oligarchs. He warns that this could lead to a complete breakdown of democratic governance.
• Call to Action: The post concludes with a call for bipartisan resistance against these appointments, urging citizens and elected officials to recognize the existential threat they pose to the nation and work together to preserve democratic values.