DocsTeach
Letter to Truman about the Manhattan Project
Delve into the past to understand the opposition to the Manhattan Project. An interesting activity is designed to be completed in pairs, groups, or individually. Scholars analyze historical documents, complete an online worksheet, and...
Curated OER
Dropping the Atomic Bomb: The Decision That Defined a Presidency
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this World War II lesson, students research the implications of the use of nuclear weapons to end the war in the Pacific. Students determine...
Annenberg Foundation
Postwar Tension and Triumph
Go get the American Dream lifestyle! The 19th lesson in a 22-part series exploring American history shows learners the post-WWII economic boom. Using primary sources, photographs, and cartoons, groups discuss their findings and present...
Curated OER
The Cold War at Home
Eleventh graders discover the perspective of Cold War on the American homefront. In this Cold War lesson plan, 11th graders watch Duck and Cover video segments that instruct citizens what to do in case of nuclear attack. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Kansas in the Movies, the Cold War Period
Students are instructed using a cross curricular type of lesson. The time period that they focus upon is the founding of the Soviet Union as a superpower in the world after WWII. The rise of communism is also taken into consideration.
Curated OER
Dropping the Atomic Bomb The Decision That Defined a Presidency.
High schoolers examine historical evidence regarding the atomic bomb. In this Truman presidency lesson, students research images and documents about the use of the bomb in Japan. High schoolers write position papers that identify their...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Understanding the Koreas
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based lesson is unlikely to engage the class. The end product is a...
Curated OER
A Timeline of Cold War Events
Pupils create a timeline of the major events of the Cold War and explain their effect on Canada. They utilize a worksheet and a website imbedded in this plan which guide their research and presentations.
Curated OER
The Manhattan Project
Students discover the technological and scientific requirements for making the atomic bomb, the immediate effects of an atomic bomb, and the social and political changes that have resulted from the Manhattan Project.
Curated OER
The Berlin Wall
Middle schoolers enter the classroom and observe a wall that is set up with desks, bookshelves, or anything else available. to create a barrier that they cannot cross during the class. The class then is divided into East and West Berlin...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb
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.
Other
Lehigh University: The Enola Gay Controversy
This website from the Lehigh University provides a fresh way of approaching the old question of the need for the atom bomb. The site also outlines the controversy over how this historical event should be remembered and represented,...
Other
Atom Central: The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Read this detailed account of the decision and action to drop two atomic bombs on Japan after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: The Manhattan Project
Students will discuss the role of technology of the atomic bomb and explore the destruction of Nagasaki and Hiroshima during WWII. Students will then outline some of the social and political changes that resulted from the Manhattan Project.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: The Atomic Bomb
Provides interesting information, history, and facts on the Atomic Bomb and its use during WWII.
Other
Nagasaki University: Medical Effects of the Atomic Bomb at Nagasaki
This resource provides data about the physical destruction of Nagasaki, the medical aspect, and survivor stories.