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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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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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Website
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Atomic Energy and Nuclear History

For Students 9th - 10th
Exhibit from Oregon State University Library on Atomic Energy and the Struggle for International Control.
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Handout
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Military Aspects of Atomic Energy: Military Power

For Students 9th - 10th
Article describes military power in an atomic age and perception at home and abroad during the 1950s.
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Website
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Politics in the Atomic Age

For Students 9th - 10th
Oregon State online exhibit on Atomic Energy and Nuclear History features discussion and primary source material on the politics of the Atomic Age, citizen reaction and the Atomic Energy Act of 1946.
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Website
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Race for the Superbomb

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the Cold War race to develop the hydrogen bomb, a weapon that would change the world. Content details all the people who were involved in the race for the H-Bomb, as well as notable events during this time period....
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Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth analysis of the decision to create and drop the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. Includes details on the Interim Committee.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: The War: The Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
At the online companion site of the PBS documentary series "THE WAR," read three descriptions of the atomic bomb and its use.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: People & Discoveries Niels Bohr

For Students 9th - 10th
A wonderful PBS biography of a great man. This contains many personal touches, yet does a fine job of describing Bohr's scientific work. But it's best at Bohr the man. Nice quotes, one in the middle, one at the end.
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Handout
Flow of History

Flow of History: Nuclear Arms Race

For Students 9th - 10th
The events and countries involved in the nuclear arms race are profiled. Text plus a colored graphic flowchart make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
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Website
Other

Hiroshima & Nagasaki 60 Years Later

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed background information and a collection of resources are provided to help one understand the history of the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Material consists of original texts, eyewitness accounts, photographs, videos, and...
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Article
Other

Brookings Institution: 50 Facts About u.s. Nuclear Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
A page provided by the Brookings Institution which lists 50 "facts" about U.S. Nuclear Weapons. Good place to start for basic (and sometimes interesting) statistics. (Published April 28, 2014)
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Article
Other

Seattle Times: Fifty Years From Trinity

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from the Seattle Times describes the dawning of the atomic age. Illustrates the events of the detonation of the first atomic bomb in Trinity, New Mexico, just before the Hiroshima bomb.
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Article
Other

Seattle Times: Fifty Year From Trinity

For Students 9th - 10th
Outstanding, very readable website that includes major sections on Trinity, Nevada Test Site, and Hanford (where plutonium for original bomb was made). Contains links to other related websites.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer

For Students 9th - 10th
J. Robert Oppenheimer is credited with the creation of the atomic bomb. But, "The country asked him to do something and he did it brilliantly, and they repaid him for the tremendous job he did by breaking him." This documentary traces...
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: World War Ii 1941 1945: The Pacific Theater and the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at America's involvement in the Pacific Campaign, and the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan and the impact it had.
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Handout
Other

Los Alamos Bradbury Science Museum: Us Dept of Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
This museum site takes the visitor on an inside track of the Los Alamos Laboratory. Find out more about the mission of the laboratory when you visit this site.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Why Doesn't Anything Stick to Teflon?

For Students 9th - 10th
Teflon was in the spacesuits the Apollo crew wore for the moon landing, in pipes and valves used in the Manhattan project, and it may be in your kitchen, as the nonstick coating on frying pans and cookie sheets. So what is this slippery...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: J. Robert Oppenheimer 1904 1967

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS provides biographical information about J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his involvement with the atomic bomb.
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Primary
University of Minnesota

Univ. Of Minnesota: War Department Release on New Mexico Test, July 16, 1945

For Students 9th - 10th
Originally published on July 16, 1945, this is a dramatic account of the government's testing of their latest, most powerful weapon, the atomic bomb. Describes the emotions of scientists and war officials before, during and after...
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Website
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab: Science Beat: Glenn Seaborg

For Students 9th - 10th
A very interesting site about Seaborg. It contains quotes from him and about him, photographs, and a timeline.
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Website
Oregon State University

Osu: Atomic Espionage and the Oppenheimer Hearings

For Students 9th - 10th
Atomic Energy and Nuclear History Online exhibit from Oregon State University Library features information on Atomic Espionage and the Oppenheimer Hearings.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: J. Robert Oppenheimer

For Students 9th - 10th
This biography from the encyclopedia Wikipedia of physicist Robert Oppenheimer discusses his education, his creation of the atomic bomb, and later, his opposition to the use of the bomb.
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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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