Crossroads Middle School, Unit X

Crossroads Middle School, Unit X Crossroads Middle School Curriculum

Unit X: The Age of Franklin D. Roosevelt: 1933 - 1945

Question/Problem 4: Should Harry S Truman have authorized the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Contents

Objectives

Description of lesson/activity

Resources

Objectives: The students will be able to:

1. explain the reasons for and against using the atomic bomb.

2. research and prepare arguments supporting both sides.

3. choose one side of the issue and defend their position in a class debate.

4. relate their knowledge of President Truman's choice to current issues dealing with nuclear weapons.

Description of lesson/activity:

1. Students should research the context surrounding Truman's decision, the reasons for and against using the bomb, and the effects of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. See "Resources" below for a list of books for student and teacher use.

2. Students should gather information and prepare arguments supporting both sides of the issue. The teacher should then organize a debate on the topic, either assigning or allowing students to choose one side of the issue for support in the debate.

3. As an alternative to the debate, students could be assigned a persuasive essay supporting one side of the issue.

Resources:

1. These books present information on the topic at different reading levels:

Claypool, Jane. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Turning Points of World War II. New York: Franklin Watts, 1984.
O'Neal, Michael. President Truman and the Atomic Bomb. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1990.
Wyden, Peter. Day One: Before Hiroshima and After. New York: Warner Books, 1985.

2. This 20-minute videocassette presents an overview of the topic:

"Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Was Truman's Decision to Use the Bomb Justified?" Order from: Zenger Video, 10200 Jefferson Boulevard, Room TM, P.O. Box 802, Culver City, CA 90232- 0802.

3. This classroom simulation allows students to spend more than a week preparing and conducting a war crimes trial regarding the topic:

"Judgement: A simulation of President Truman facing trial for his decision to drop the atomic bomb." Order from: Interact, P.O. Box 997, Lakeside, CA 92040.

4. These books include valuable background information for teachers:

Fussell, Paul. Thank God for the Atomic Bomb. New York: Summit/Simon & Schuster, 1988.
Hersey, John. Hiroshima. New York: Knopf, 1946.
Herkin, Gregg. The Winning Weapon. New York: Knopf, 1980.
McCullough, David. Truman. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
Patterson, Thomas G., ed. The Origins of the Cold War. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath, 1974.
Rhodes, Richard. The Making of the Atomic Bomb. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987.
Sherwin, Martin J. A World Destroyed: The Atomic Bomb and the Grand Alliance. New York: Knopf, 1975.

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