You may have very strong feelings about whether this was a good or bad decision, but this assignment asks you to summarize and analyze the documents I have provided and to analyze the issues facing Truman.
Questions to Consider:
- What was the genesis of the Manhattan Project?
- How did our allies feel about the bomb?
- Who opposed using the bomb? Why?
- Who believed it was necessary? Why?
- What principal factors persuaded Truman to use the bomb?
- Did Truman take the correct course of action?
Purpose:
• Historians reconstruct a narrative of the past from primary sources. This assignment provides you with an opportunities to act like an historian; that is, you will read primary sources, analyze them, develop a thesis and write an original, well supported 3-page essay.
Goals:
Students will:
• Analyze primary sources
• Evaluate the sources
• Originate a convincing, written argument/thesis
• Identify and describe examples that support their thesis
Task:
• A 3-page thesis-governed paper analyzing raw data with 3 specific and detailed points/examples that support and are clearly linked to the thesis.
Audience:
• The audience consists of your classmates/peers. Explain things clearly and in detail so that they understand. Do not assume that they know anything. Provide some context and background.