Lesson Plan
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry Truman & the Potsdam Conference: Student Activity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity allows students to see President Truman's perspective at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. Features include overview and firsthand accounts of conference, questions, vocabulary, and photos.
Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library: The President's Cabinet

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Features a teacher-directed activity that explores the President's Cabinet and the duties of each secretary.
Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Why Does the President Need a Cabinet?

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out why a president needs a cabinet and scroll down to find out about President Washington's first Cabinet.
Primary
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: Executive Order 9835

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the executive order from President Harry S. Truman which outlined the loyalty review program to examine the loyalty of federal employees. This was issued in response to anti-Communist hysteria at the time.
Primary
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: The President's News Conference on v E Day

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is the transcript of the news conference President Harry S. Truman had on May 8, 1945, just before the release of his proclamation declaring the end of hostilities in Europe. Read why he released this early to journalists, and enjoy...
Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Truman Presidential Museum and Library

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Here is a wealth of information on President Truman, including research ideas, teacher lessons, and student activities. There are also primary source documents, PowerPoint presentations, photographs, and more.
Interactive
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Truman vs. Dewey

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about one of the most surprising political defeats in American history. The election of 1948 between President Harry Truman and Thomas Dewey was supposed to be a landslide. Find out about Truman's stand on policies, and read about...
Primary
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Truman Library: Telegram: Injunction in the Copper Industry Strike

For Students 9th - 10th
Beset by labor unrest and strikes after World War II, President Truman sent a telegram to the Attorney General advising him to step into the dispute between copper companies and labor unions to avert strikes and lock outs. Read the...
Handout
Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College: Early Cold War Era u.s. Foreign Policy

For Students 11th - 12th
In his article entitled "Economic Interests, Party, and Ideology in Early Cold War Era U.S. Foreign Policy", Benjamin O. Fordham discusses the United States' foreign policy during the Cold War, focusing on the country's ideology, party...
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.
Website
BBC

Bbc: President Truman and the Origins of the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC correspondent Arnold A Offner discusses the role Harry S. Truman played in development of the Cold War. American history from a British point of view.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian: Dividing the Spoils

For Students 9th - 10th
Historian Michael Beschloss discusses Harry S. Truman's role in the Potsdam Conference and examines how his decisions there paved the way for the Cold War. (December 2002)
Primary
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: The Long Telegram

For Students 9th - 10th
This primary source document reveals Russia's growing distrust of the United States and its desire to strengthen its position in the global community through greater military security.
Unit Plan
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Interactive teaching unit for Grades 5-8 that helps to explain the three branches of government and the the balance of power. Topics covered include balance of government, how a bill becomes a law, the amendment process, the Legislative...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Truman, Harry S. 1884 1972

For Students 9th - 10th
List of Harry Truman's accomplishments during his political career, including his terms as a Democratic Senator from Missouri, a Vice President, and Thirty-third President of the United States.
Primary
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: United States History Since 1920: Truman Loyalty Oath, 1947

For Students 9th - 10th
In March, 1947, President Truman issued an executive order requiring that all Federal employees take a loyalty oath swearing loyalty to the United States. This was a time of fear of Communists and the Soviet Union. Read the entire...
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.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Truman National Historic Site

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on Harry S. Truman's historic home and farm.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Missouri: Harry S Truman Farm Home

For Students 9th - 10th
An image of the Harry S Truman Farm Home.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in Missouri: Harry S Truman Historic District

For Students 9th - 10th
An image of the Harry S Truman Historic District.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Harry Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of Harry S Truman and summaries of important events during his presidency.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: American Presidency: Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief biographical sketch of America's thirty-third president includes background information on the era in which he served and linked-to objects from the Smithsonian's collections that help define the man and his presidency.
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.
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.