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The Marshall Plan; What if it Happened Here?

Lesson Author
Turner, Amy
Course(s)
American History
Required Time Frame
1 week
Subject(s)
Cold War
Marshall Plan
Grade Level(s)
9
10
11
12
Lesson Abstract
Individual assignments using primary sources.
Description

Individual assignments using primary sources.

Rationale (why are you doing this?)

Students learn how to interpret and use primary sources

Lesson Objectives - the student will
  • Read and interpret primary source documents relating to the Marshall Plan to familiarize themselves with the idea of a nation being in desperate need of help from other nations.
  • The students will be presented with a scenario describing natural disasters in the US (Yellowstone volcano re-activating, New Madrid Fault causing a massive earthquake; atmospheric consequences of the natural disasters causing drought, pollution, factories, farms, water systems are all affected. The US is suffering from unemployment, food shortages, water pollution. Who do we turn to for help? What are the consequences of accepting help? What is expected of the US in return?
District, state, or national performance and knowledge standards/goals/skills met

Using and interpreting primary sources to compare and contrast and use cause and effect.

Primary sources needed (document, photograph, artifact, diary or letter, audio or visual recording, etc.) needed

Truman Library website - https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/online-collections/truman-marshall-plan

Fully describe the activity or assignment in detail. What will both the teacher and the students do?

Students will choose several primary source documents relating to the Marshall Plan from the Truman Library website.
The instructor will supply the access to the documents by guiding the students through the site.
The students will decide how the US will determine what aid to accept in the event of massive natural disasters.
They will present their ideas to the class using information they obtained from the primary sources.

Assessment: fully explain the assessment method in detail or create and attach a scoring guide

Students must provide copies of the documents used. The notes, outline, and rough draft are due at the end
of week 1.  The finished product and bibliography is due at the end of week 2. Students may use half of each
class period during the week and may work at home on research and writing.
Students will present their projects to the class during the following week.
They will be graded on research and documentation (50%) and presentation(50%).