Trial of the Century
Dropping the Atomic Bomb: Murder or Self-Defense?
The case against Harry Truman and the makers of the bomb.
Situation: The year is 1948. Despite heavy casualties inflicted by the
bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan ultimately prevails in WWII
and forces the unconditional surrender of the US. As a result of their role in
the creation and use of the destructive weapon known as the atomic bomb,
Harry Truman and participants in the Manhattan Project await trial, charged
with crimes against humanity.
Directions: You are to act as legal assistants to the prosecution and defense.
You and your team will receive a document and based on the information
that is in the document, you must come up with a verdict with reasons
backing it up. Based on the evidence, the judge will determine guilt or
innocence. If you are a part of the winning team, you will receive 5 extracredit points on the WWII test. Winning is based on how convincing your
arguments are and how much proof you have to prove your point, not
necessarily on what actually happened.
Products to be created by each group of students:
1. WHO WON
2. Summary of key facts supporting your side
3. Evidence refuting the opposing side