About the Project
For one week (or sometimes longer), my classroom is transformed into a courtroom in 1953. The defendant is former President Harry S. Truman and he is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Students assume the roles of lawyers, witnesses, judges, court reporters, and jurors.
Resources for students
Live Binder Website - has links to tons of websites for witnesses and lawyers.
Trial Resources - link to a folder on the CHS website. Some of the information is the same as the Live Binder.
Main Witness Summaries - Google Doc with the 14 original witnesses.
Additional Witness Summaries - Google Doc with the additional witnesses.
Nuclear Files: Biographies
Map of Firebombing -
Target Sites
Trial Resources - link to a folder on the CHS website. Some of the information is the same as the Live Binder.
Main Witness Summaries - Google Doc with the 14 original witnesses.
Additional Witness Summaries - Google Doc with the additional witnesses.
Nuclear Files: Biographies
Map of Firebombing -
Target Sites
Grading Rubrics
- Lawyers
- Witnesses
- Judges
- Court Reporters
- Jurors (Court Reporters and Judges will serve as jurors)
Photos
2013 Truman Trial Video
Resources for Teachers
Application for Roles
Common Core and the Truman Trial (document that shows the 21st century learnings achieved through this project)
Common Core and the Truman Trial (document that shows the 21st century learnings achieved through this project)