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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Police Action": The Korean War, 1950-1953

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate facts about the war in Korea in the 1950's and attempt to classify American foreign policy as a triumph or a failure. Why the U.S. became involved and the unpopularity of the war in America forms the focus of this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harry S. Truman - Campaign of 1948

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students establish the major events leading up to the election in 1948.  In this U.S. History lesson, students research details about Harry S. Truman, then they participate in a class discussion about him so that they are ready to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Foreign Policies of Harry S. Truman

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars read an article about the new interest in Harry S. Truman. In groups, they review his foreign policy decisions and how situations might have been different if he had made a different decision. They also examine the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religious Revival: The American Response to the Cold War

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the impact of religion on the Cold War. In this Cold War instructional activity, students analyze speeches delivered by Lenin, Truman, and Graham regarding the role of religion in society. As a culminating activity,...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Truman & the Beginning of the Cold War

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive social studies learning exercise, high schoolers answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding the Truman presidency and the beginning of the Cold War. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Truman's Foreign Policy Decisions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine foreign policy decisions of former President Truman which still affect us today, review factors to be considered in making foreign policy decisions, closely explore specific major foreign policy decisions, and share...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War II

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the events of World War II that led to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan. Creating a decision making tree, they weigh the positives and negatives of the decision to use the bomb. They participate in a...
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Website
National Archives (UK)

Nalc: Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
The tension between Great Britain, United States, and the Soviet Union at end of World War II is surveyed with an excellent presentation with many links and images, a time line, glossary, and archive.
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Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Peace Becomes Cold War, 1945 1950

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of historical events that led to the Cold War from the perspective of the U.S. Army. Particular emphasis is placed on military leadership and policy.
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Graphic
Flow of History

Flow of History: The Start of the Cold War (1945 48)

For Students 9th - 10th
The events leading up to the Cold War are profiled. Text plus a graphic flow chart format make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
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Article
New York Times

New York Times: On This Day: War Time Laws Appealed

For Students 9th - 10th
New York Times article from 1946 reports the end of wartime laws and hostilities; references to the Smith-Connally Act and its effects included.
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Primary
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Photographs: Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Photographic archive of Harry S. Truman. Collection includes photos from early life to post-presidential days and more!
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Website
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything you wanted to know and more about Harry S. Truman, from biographical information to love letters.
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Handout
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Truman Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
A very easy-to-read biographical sketch of Harry S. Truman. Includes suggestions for further reading.
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Website
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Truman Museum & Library: Margaret's Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive biographical sketch of the life of Margaret Truman, daughter of United States President Harry S. Truman. Details her family background and educational history. Highlights her books she has published and works she has edited.
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Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: Who Shall Judge?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Well-written description of the process, qualifications, and constitutional background on selecting Supreme Court justices.
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Article
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum

Rutherford B. Hayes Center: Who Is James K. Polk?

For Students 9th - 10th
This page features an analysis of the Democratic Party's decision to nominate the relatively unknown James Polk for their presidential candidate in 1844. This article gives insight into the political atmosphere of the time.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The Korean War: "Police Action," 1950 1953

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Korean War: "Police Action," 1950-1953." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The Origins of the Cold War, 1945 1949

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Curriculum Unit, young scholars will consider "The Origins of the Cold War, 1945-1949" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
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Website
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Truman and the Atom Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Read background information about Harry Truman and the development of the atomic bomb prior to his presidency. Includes excerpts from official documents and conversations during the Truman Administration.
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Website
Ibis Communications

Eye Witness to History: Thoughts of a President, 1945

For Students 9th - 10th
"So, Mr. President, what do you really think of General MacArthur?" A president's diary, detailing Harry Truman's thoughts on issues during his presidency.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: George Marshall

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief but informative piece on George C. Marshall - creator of the Marshall Plan. Includes pictures of most of the world players at the time. Describes his role in formulating the Marshall Plan.
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Website
Other

Lebendiges Museum Online: Potsdamer Konferenz

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Lebendiges Museum Online describes the events surrounding the Potsdam Conference which decided the future of the devided Germany. The site is entirely in German.
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Website
Other

Atomic Bomb: Decision

For Students 9th - 10th
An indexing page which links to several pages of letters, diary excerpts, public reports, and personal correspondence relating to the use of the first atomic bomb. Includes letters and petitions drafted by scientists involved with the...