Download Historical References in The Simpsons

Historical References in The Simpsons
Standards were based the Pennsylvania Department of Education History Standards
Season
Episode
Episode Name
Social Studies
Topic(s)
Psychology
- Theories of
therapy
1
7G04
There’s No
Disgrace like
Home
1
7G05
Bart the
General
US History
- WWI Armistice
- Treaty of
Versailles
2
7F01
Two Cars in
Every Garage
and Three Eyes
on Every Fish
Politics/Gov’t
- elections
- campaigns
- Spin
- nuclear safety
2
7F04
2
7F12
Treehouse of
Horror
The Way We
Was
English (nonhistory)
US History
- 1970’s culture
- Women’s
Lib/feminism
2
7F19
Lisa’s
Substitute
3
8F11
Radio Bart
Politics/Gov’t
- elections
- campaigns
- voting
US History
- Truman’s defeat
of Dewey
US History
- 1980’s culture
4
9F08
Lisa’s First
Word
US History
- Cold War
Reference description
The shock therapy used in the family therapy
session could be used in a psychology class.
While it may not be correct, it might be helpful to
start discussion and lead into a lesson.
Bart and Nelson sign an armistice similar to the
armistice signed after WWI. Some of the
addendums to it can be related to Versailles
Treaty. It could be used to compare and contrast
the real thing to a knockoff.
The people helping Burns win the election have
to spin the truth to make him appear better, this
could be used to start a discussion about how real
politicians spin the truth.
Another reference could be made to nuclear
radiation and what is true or false about nuclear
pollution. Could also start a discussion about the
ethics of nuclear power.
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is featured. This
could be more of an English class reference.
The show references back to Homer and Marge’s
high school years in 1974. Marge burns her bra
in reference to the Women’s movement.
The show is set to a variety of timed songs by
artists, The Carpenters, Steve Miller Band,
Average White Band, Barry White, Elton John,
Van McCoy.
This episode could be used as a brief introduction
into the 1970’s, the Women’s Movement, etc.
When Martin wins the school election, he poses
with a premature printed copy of the Fourth
Gradian that states, “Simpson defeats Prince” this
clearly parodies the “Dewey Defeats Truman”
newspaper. Use this to introduce the students to
the Truman victory.
When Bart fools Springfield into thinking a boy
is lost down a well, local/national celebrities
create a song called “We’re Sending Our Love
Down the Well”, this is in relation to the “We are
the World” song created in real life.
This episode flashes back to 1983-84. It
references the Russian boycott of the Olympics,
4
9F14
Duffless
4
9F15
Last Exit to
Springfield
4
9F18
Whacking Day
5
1F01
Rosebud
5
1F11
Bart Gets
Famous
5
1F13
Deep Space
Homer
6
2F02
Sideshow Bob
Roberts
- Olympic
Boycott
- 1980’s culture
US History
- Prohibition
also Ms. Pacman. This could be used to have
students try and identify as many references to
the 80’s as possible.
A prohibition-era sign at the Duff Brewery reads,
“Prohibition got you down? Drink Doctor Duff’s
‘Health Tonic’”. This reference shows what
many actual breweries during prohibition did to
keep making beer. This reference may be better
served by only using it for a very brief while, or
doing a screen capture.
US History
The show centers on the union labor dispute with
- Unions
Mr. Burns. It also shows how strikes work and
- Strikes
end. This could be used when learning about
Economics
labor relations in the US. Use it to compare and
- Class struggle
contrast reality to television.
Local History
Sprinfieldians participate in Whacking Day,
- Local holidays
where they look for and beat snakes. This is an
- Traditions
example of a unique local/regional practice. Use
this to compare to local/regional practices in your
own area when talking about local history.
It is also revealed that the holiday used to have
people attacking the Irish instead of Snakes. This
could be used to show how traditions sometimes
change without people knowing due to changing
norms of society.
US History
A short part of this clip shows the journey of Mr.
- Charles
Burns stuffed bear “Bobo”. It starts in 1927 with
Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh’s flight, 1945 in Hitler’s
- Hitler
Berlin bunker, 1957 Nautilus’s North Pole visit.
- Nautilus’s North Show this in the beginning of the year to show
Pole visit
how history is related. While this example may
be far fetched it at least introduces some of the
topics discussed throughout the year.
Sociology
Bart’s famous line “I didn’t Do It” could be used
- Catchphrases
in a sociology class to show how the country can
- Fame
get caught up in phenomenons like “Pants on the
- Phenomenon
Ground” and while they are enormously famous
for a time, they quickly fade away.
US History
Homer goes into space with NASA. This could
- NASA
be used in a couple ways. It could be used as a
- Space
comparison to Apollo 13 where the astronauts
exploration
experienced a great deal of trouble. It could also
- Apollo 13
be used to show how much interest has been lost
in NASA’s space program.
Politics/Gov’t
Bob gets out of jail and runs for mayor. This
- Elections
episode is based loosely on the Watergate scandal
- Campaigns
and other real life political events. It could be
- Watergate
- Kennedy/Nixon
Debate
- Political debates
6
2F09
Homer the
Great
US History
- Conspiracy
Theories
- Freemasons
- Secret Societies
World History
- Trojan Horse
6
2F22
Lemon of Troy
6
3F11
Scenes From
the Class
Struggle in
Springfield
Sociology
- Class struggle
- Socioeconomic
class structure
7
3F12
Bart the Fink
Economics
- Money
- Banking
- Tax Fraud
7
3F13
Lisa the
Iconoclast
US History
- Historical myths
- Historical
revision
7
3F17
Bart on the
Road
US History
- World’s Fair
-
7
3F20
Much Apu
about Nothing
Politics/Gov’t
- Citizenship
- illegal
immigrants
- scapegoating
8
4F02
Treehouse of
Horror VII
Politics/Gov’t
- elections
used to introduce elections or to talk about how
people try to rig them. It also featured a TV
debate where Quimby appears sickly and loses
popularity; this is similar to to the
Nixon/Kennedy debate where Nixon looked pale
and sickly.
This episode features the Stonecutters which are
an obvious reference to the Freemasons. It could
be used to compare and contrast the actions of the
real organization and the myths surrounding
them.
Homer, Bart, and other Sprinfieldians use the
Trojan Horse decoy trick to get into Shelbyville
and steal the lemon tree back. This could be used
to talk about the Trojan War.
Marge gets invited to the country club and the
family sees what life is like for the rich. They
also try to fit in. This could be used to compare
the different lifestyles, also to how different
economic classes work with one another.
Bart gets a checkbook with the Hindenburg
disaster on it called “Oh the Humanity”. It also
talks about how Krusty commits tax fraud. This
could help explain how tax fraud works so the
students might understand it better when they see
it in historical places.
The true identity of Sprinfield’s founder is
revealed to be false. When they exhume the body
to see if it is true it references real events when
President Taylor was exhumed. It could also be
used to talk about what we really know about our
founding fathers.
Bart and his friends rent a car and travel to
Knoxville Tennessee to see the Worlds Fair.
They are disappointed when they find out it was
open in 1982, but still see the Sunsphere. This
could be used if talking about Worlds Fairs, or
local history.
Springfield attempts to pass Prop 24 which would
deport all illegal immigrants immediately. It
discusses ways in which people can become
citizens and how they can become illegal. It also
shows how politicians can blame illegal aliens for
totally unrelated things. Related to California
Proposition 187 anti-illegal movement.
The “Citizen Kang” story where Kodos and Kang
impersonate Dole and Clinton. They make
- Two Party
System
8
4F07
Hurricane
Neddy
8
4F15
Homer vs. the
Eighteenth
Amendment
8
4F21
9
5F02
9
5F05
13
15
17
Psychology
- Psychological
breakdown
- Psychotherapy
Sociology
- Child Rearing
US History
- Prohibition
- Bootlegging
Politics/Gov’t
- Laws
- Crime
The Secret War US History
of Lisa Simpson - Women’s
Lib/Feminism
- Women in the
military
Treehouse of
US History
Horror VIII
- Salem Witch
Trials
- Mob Rule
Lisa the Skeptic US History
- Scopes Trial
- Evolution vs.
Creationism
Politics/Gov’t
- Courts
Tales from the
World History
Public Domain - Trojan Horse
- Joan of Arc
Margical
World History
History Tour
- Henry VIII
- Mozart
US History
- Lewis and Clark
The Wettest
US History
Stories Ever
- Mayflower
reference to the dominance of the 2 party system
in the US, claiming that voting for the 3rd party is
throwing the vote away. They also show what
voters want to see and hear by claiming “bland
pleasantries, jazz solos, and kissing babies”. Use
this episode to have students learn about
elections. It really focuses on the negatives of US
politics or at least the perceived negatives.
Students can use this to start a discussion.
This would probably be best used in a psychology
class. Ned’s childhood psychiatrist treats him to
suppress his anger rather than use it
constructively. Have students relate this strategy
to real psychological treatments.
The mob at the Kwik-E-Mart could also be used
to reference the 1992 LA mobs
Prohibition returns to Springfield and Rex Banner
comes to enforce it. When the mob can no longer
supply alcohol, Homer becomes a bootlegger.
Use this episode to draw comparisons between
actual prohibition in the 1920’s and prohibition in
Sprinfield.
Lisa attends military school. This could be used
to start a discussion about women in the armed
forces and women in combat.
Salem Witch Trial story. Use this to start
learning about the Salem Witch Trials. Students
can then use it to reference back to.
Evolution is banned in Springfield, and Lisa
decides to fight it in court. This can be used
when talking about the Scopes Monkey Trial. It
has a few comparisons, and a number of
differences. Students can use this as a jumping
off point in class.
Trojan Horse, Joan of Arc
Henry VIII, Lewis and Clark, Mozart
Mayflower
Told