The Decision to Drop the Bomb World War II University City High School AP United States History Mr. Brown

After completing this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources by researching the influences and factors that shaped the United States decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 Objective

People living in the past left many clues about their lives.People living in the past left many clues about their lives. As historians we use a wide variety of sources to answer questions about the past.As historians we use a wide variety of sources to answer questions about the past. Primary sources can be in the form of personal papers, government documents, letters, oral accounts, diaries, maps, photographs, reports, novels and short stories, artifacts, coins, stamps, and many other things. Historians call all of these clues together the historical record.Primary sources can be in the form of personal papers, government documents, letters, oral accounts, diaries, maps, photographs, reports, novels and short stories, artifacts, coins, stamps, and many other things. Historians call all of these clues together the historical record. Library of Congress ces/pshome.html ces/pshome.html

Secondary Sources Secondary sources are one step removed from the event being described but provide the background necessary to understand the the primary sources.Secondary sources are one step removed from the event being described but provide the background necessary to understand the the primary sources. Some types of secondary sources are: textbooks, journal articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias.For example, your history textbook is a secondary source. Someone wrote most of your textbook long after historical events took place.Some types of secondary sources are: textbooks, journal articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias.For example, your history textbook is a secondary source. Someone wrote most of your textbook long after historical events took place. Your textbook may also include some primary sources, such as direct quotes from people living in the past or excerpts from historical documents.Your textbook may also include some primary sources, such as direct quotes from people living in the past or excerpts from historical documents.

The Manhattan Project

MISSION OBJECTIVE  You will collaborate in small groups to research, compile and discuss primary source material related to this prompt by locating and evaluating ten documents which can include World War II diplomatic records and cables, and congressional documents, letters, memoirs, photographs and eyewitness testimony and accounts. They will also compile secondary source material and background information significant to the decision to drop the bomb.  You will collaborate in small groups to research, compile and discuss primary source material related to this prompt by locating and evaluating ten documents which can include World War II diplomatic records and cables, presidential and congressional documents, letters, memoirs, photographs and eyewitness testimony and accounts. They will also compile secondary source material and background information significant to the decision to drop the bomb.  Your group will develop a thesis statement and support your position in class with a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates primary source documentation, photographs, and hyperlinks to relevant Web sites.

Content Standards California Social Science Content Standards World War II and Foreign Affairs National Educational Technology Standard 5 Technology Research Tools