Students will use a variety of sources to focus in on Britain’s decision to withdraw from the Mediterranean, and decide reasons why Truman decided to commit the USA unilaterally to replace Britain, based on pictures, his speech, lecture notes, and John Keegan’s Truman Doctrine article.
To help students in a Modern American History Class ( grades 11-12) understand one of the early, as well as the most significant issues of the post-WW2 world “Cold War”
- Understand the origins and rationale of the Truman Doctrine
- Explain why the British could no longer support Greece and/or Turkey in the Mediterranean
- List reasons why Truman issued his Doctrine
Meets RI History and Social Science US History standards
Kansas Standards
Benchmark 3: The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas,
developments, and turning points in the era of the Cold War (1945-1990).
2. analyzes the origins of the Cold War (e.g., establishment of the
Soviet Bloc, Mao’s victory in China, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade,
Iron Curtain).
3. (A) evaluates the foreign policies of Truman and Eisenhower during
the Cold War (e.g., establishment of the United Nations,
containment, NATO, Truman Doctrine, Berlin Blockade, Korean
War, Iron Curtain, U-2 incident).
Benchmark 5: The student engages in historical thinking skills.
3.(A) uses primary and secondary sources about an event in U.S.
history to develop a credible interpretation of the event, evaluating
on its meaning (e.g., uses provided primary and secondary sources
to interpret a historical-based conclusion).
Missouri Standards
US History
3aW: Describe and evaluate the evolution of United States domestic and foreign policies including the Cold War.
3aY: Describe the changing character of American society and culture.
7C: Distinguish between fact and opinion and analyze sources to recognize bias and points of view.
- Any standard 20th century American History text ( for background )
- Handout article by Historian John Keegan, The Truman Doctrine
- Ann Heiss’ powerpoint presentation at Marshall Plan Conference, July, 2012
- Truman’s speech to Congress 3/12/1947
- Photographs of Greek devastation
- A) Using class lecture notes and materials provided, including John Keegan article and handout of the Truman speech,briefly explain why the British could no longer meet their commitments to Greece and Turkey
- B) Using photographs available for research Truman Doctrine photos.
- Then explain in brief the living conditions faced by the Greek people after WW2. Note: Additional pictures available @ Google image, Greek Civil War.
- C) After listening to Truman’s speech to Congress and reading a copy of his speech, answer the following: 1) How did the President convince Congress that Greece particularly was in crisis and deserving of $250 million. 2) What did the President say about the U.N. and why the USA was acting alone ( paragraphs 12, 19, 32, 40 3) In paragraphs 31, 37-39, what did he say the US policy was? 4) after listening to Truman’s speech, decide if he was direct or not in what he said
And if his tone was in any way alarming. 5) write a one page letter to the editor either supporting or opposing the President’s policy or drawn an editorial cartoon doing the same as above.
- Students would be required to hand in written material within three days after receiving assignment ( due to amount of material, scored as a quiz grade)
- Student would also take a written quiz based on lecture notes
- Material also would be included in a general test on the Cold War