Read Pages, the statements of President Truman and William Leahy – 522 & 523 and be ready to discuss …

- Who’s right, “Should American Drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan?”

3/4/15

Major Questions to Consider:

(1) How did the role of the U.S. in world affairs change because of its involvement in WWII?

• (2) How did the U.S. impact the outcome of WWII, leading to Allied victory?

(3) Was the decision to drop the atomic bomb by the United States justified?

3/4/15

Learning Target

• Students will analyze the decision to drop the atomic bombs over Japan.

Read the following handout in small-groups and answer the questions:

• (1) – Why was the firebombing of Japanese cities so successful, and why was this tactic probably embraced by the American public?

• (2) – What does the author describe as the Hiroshima myth?

• (3) – What were the findings of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey and the War Department Military Intelligence Division?

• (4) – What evidence is provided that dropping the atomic bomb was not necessary and that there were other options for forcing Japan to surrender?

Class Discussion – Discussing the Atomic Bombs – Thursday

• Rationale: Students will work in their small-groups, preparing for this discussion and having informed opinions.

• Student participation is worth five points.

____ 2 pts. - The students effectively presented the information, fulfilling the requirements of the assignment, and were able to be involved in an informed class discussion.

____ 3 pts. - The students had their stance, for or against, on the butcher-block paper, along with three supporting points of information.

New Role In World Affairs(1) What is this agency, event, etc., and what was the purpose of

this?(2) How does this demonstrate a new role for the United States in the

world’s affairs if it does indeed represent a change?

– (1) Tokyo and Nuremberg War Crimes Trials– (2) United Nations & NATO– (3) Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

– (4) The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan– (5) Occupation of Germany post-WWII & the “Basic Law for

the Federal Republic of Germany”– (6) General MacArthur and U.S. occupation and reconstruction

of post-WWII Japan– (7) Geneva Conventions regarding agreements of 1949

Small-Group Presentations - Friday• Rationale: Students will work in their small-groups,

presenting information regarding the changing role of the U.S. in the world’s affairs.

• Student participation is worth five points.

____ 2 pts. - The students effectively presented the information, fulfilling the requirements of the assignment, and were able to lead the class in a discussion.

____ 2 pts. - The students had an effective visual displaying information, such as a PowerPoint presentation.

____ 1pt. - The students were able to answer questions about the material, displaying their knowledge of the content.

(1st) Read Page 535 regarding “Did the Soviet Union Cause the Cold War?”

- (1) What are their main arguments?- (2) Who’s right?

3/6/15

(2nd) Write down the following writing prompts, in preparation for small-group presentations:

– (1) Tokyo and Nuremberg War Crimes Trials– (2) United Nations & NATO– (3) Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

– (4) The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan– (5) U.S. Occupation of Germany– (6) U.S. Occupation of Japan– (7) Geneva Conventions