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Handout
Other

Nuclearfiles.org: Chronology on Decision to Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed chronology of the events and communication of 1945-1946 shows Truman's role in the process of the decision to drop the world's first atomic bomb used in warfare upon Hiroshima and then the second upon Nagasaki. Also...
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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Manhattan Project of the United States which worked on developing nuclear weapons during World War II. It led to the two atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in August 1945, ending the war with Japan.
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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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Unit Plan
National Cable Satellite Corporation

C Span Classroom: World War Ii the Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This video provides Lt. Col. Grant Weller, who describes the decision of the United States to use the atomic bomb on Japan to end World War II. Student questions are provided to assess their understanding of the information.
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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

Tpml: Truman and the Bomb, a Documentary History

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a comprehensive list of primary source documents from Harry S. Truman regarding the Potsdam Conference and decision to use atomic weapons.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Decision to Drop the Bomb [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The day before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt gave the go-ahead to scientists to develop an atomic bomb. This site gives a good overview of the war in the Pacific against Japan, the increasing successes of the...
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Article
Other

Mr. Dowling's Passport: Harry Truman's Decision

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Harry Truman and his decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan which ultimately ended World War II.
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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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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: The Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides interesting information, history, and facts on the Atomic Bomb and its use during WWII.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Hiroshima and the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of the effects of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and the end of World War II.
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Website
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

University of Missouri Columbia: Truman and the Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Missouri-Columbia offers a comprehensive list of primary source documents from Truman regarding the Potsdam Conference and decision to use atomic weapons.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: Biography of Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography provides interesting facts about the thirty-third president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. A black and white photograph is included.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Decision to Drop the Bomb

For Students 5th - 8th
Was it necessary to drop the atomic bomb on Japan in order to save lives? Were the consequences worse than the waiting for a surrender of Japan? Read this discussion of the decision to drop the bomb, find out about the possible motives...
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Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Truman 4 Kids

For Students 1st - 3rd
A great place for young students to start learning about the life of President Harry S Truman. Find out what he was like as a kid.
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Article
Nobel Media AB

The Nobel Prize: The Development and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about how the atomic bomb was first developed, starting the nuclear arms race. As nuclear weapons proliferated, so did apprehension. A Non-Proliferation Treaty was released in 1968, and governments began to sign on to it. Green...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Aftermath of the Decision [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A touching and horrifying description of the devastation caused by the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which brought about the surrender of Japan in World War II. Suggested student exercises accompany the information....