ShouldWeDropIt

=Should we have dropped the Atomic Bomb? = Rebecca Johnson Malden High School US History II March 2009

One of history's persisting questions concering WWII, is whether or not the Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was indeed the right decision. What information DID he know? What other options was he (and his advisors) considering? Would he have dropped the bomb if he know about the after effects?

In this lesson, students will watch test bomb videos and analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources that help to answer these questions. Through this analysis, students will digitally mark up texts, communimate with their teacher electronically, create a graphic organizer that helps students assess the decision-making process, engage in academic discussion on the decision, and ultimately decides what s/he would do in Truman's shoes.

//__State Standards__// : USII.16 Explain the reasons for the dropping of atom bombs on Japan and their short and long-term effects. (H)

//__Key Questions:__ // What information did Truman know before making the decision to drop the atomic bomb? What other options were Truman and his advisers considering? What were the short and long-term effects of dropping the bomb? Would Truman have dropped the bomb if he know about these effects?

__//Content Objectives//__ : Students will be able to: __//Technology Objectives//__ : Students will be able to: Students will answer the question: **If you were President Truman, what would //you// have decided about the atomic bomb?** To answer this questions, students will: Here's the rubric for the 4 parts of your grade.
 * Analyze primary and secondary source documents about the Manhattan Project
 * Dispute reasons for and against dropping the atomic bomb on Japan
 * Assess President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb
 * Recommend alternative solutions to ending WWII in the Pacific
 * Use the track changes function in a word document to mark-up text (make comments and highly important details)
 * Send an academic email with an attachment to their teacher with student name and class in the subject line
 * mark up primary and secondary source texts
 * complete a graphic organizer that analyzes the question
 * participate in academic discussion
 * summarize their thoughts and recommend a solution to end WWII in the Pacific

Click here for the activities.