Guiding Questions — Document B

Visit the following link https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045499/1927-08-

23/ed-1/seq-1/

1. (Sourcing) When and where was this newspaper published? Why does this
information matter for understanding Americans’ feelings about the execution of
Sacco and Vanzetti?
The Daily Alaska Empire, Aug 23,1927. In Juneau, Alaska. It was day after the execution so it
shows the point of view at the time of both executions. I think the information matters because it's
giving the thoughts and understanding about the point of view that the newspaper is representing.
2. (Close Reading) Scan the headlines of the newspaper. What do they suggest about
Americans’ opinions about the executions?
Sacco-Vanzetti Electrocuted; Pay Death Penalty For Crime. I think they suggest
that the newspaper editors and some of the audience felt that the headline is
important.

3. (Close Reading) Read the article: “State Exacts Payment for Taking Lives.” Based
on this article, how did Americans feel about the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti?
I think it represents that Sacco and Vanzetti is guilty and what they got is what they
deserve and is fair.

4. Investigate the source of information. Is The Daily Alaska Empire a good source of
information about how Americans felt about the executions? Explain.
Yes, the article coming from a Democratic point of view and to be against the
socialist point of view that's received from a rival newspaper in the area. It indicates
that the paper was writing from a more moderate point of view than The Daily
Worker.

5. (Corroboration) How do the headlines and content compare to the The Daily
Worker? What might explain the differences?
Both articles go over the executions conspicuously,
with large headlines and multiple stories. This likely shows that
Americans find it important and they greatly care about the execution. The contrast in cotent,
however, demonstrate that there was critical disagreement about the topic
at the time.

6. Taken together, what do Document A and Document B suggest about how

Americans felt about the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti?
A communist article from New York City sees the
executions a murder, while a Democratic article from Alaska sees it as possibly a
rational punishment for men guilty of murder.

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