SS.912.A.6.6

loading spinner
Export Print
Analyze the use of atomic weapons during World War II and the aftermath of the bombings.

Remarks

This benchmark is annually evaluated on the United States History End-of-Course Assessment. For more information on how this benchmark is evaluated view the United States History End-of-Course Assessment Test Item Specifications pages 40-42. Additional resources may be found on the FLDOE End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments webpage and the FLDOE Social Studies webpage.
General Information
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 912
Strand: American History
Standard: Understand the causes and course of World War II, the character of the war at home and abroad, and its reshaping of the United States role in the post-war world.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2100320: United States History Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100390: Visions and Countervisions: Europe, the U.S. and the World from 1848 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2100480: Visions and Countervisions: Europe, U.S. and the World from 1848 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2100310: United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7921025: Access United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100315: United States History for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SS.912.A.6.AP.6: Identify a reason for the use of atomic weapons during World War II and the aftermath of the bombings.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Assessment

Quiz: The Second World War:

Test your knowledge of World War II with this 12-question multiple choice quiz provided by Khan Academy. Good luck!

Type: Assessment

Lesson Plans

The Truman Decision :

In this lesson plan, students will have the opportunity to analyze the use of atomic weapons on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Students will look at the executive branch, the role of the U.S. president as “Commander in Chief” of the military during war, and the U.S. President who made the call to utilize this weapon during WWII. Students will analyze the pros and cons of using the atomic weapon. Students will also look at the aftermath of the use of the atomic bombs.

 

Type: Lesson Plan

Reading Like a Historian: Atomic Bomb:

In this lesson, students analyze primary source documents in an effort to answer the central historical question: How should we remember the dropping of the atomic bomb? First, students are told that they will choose an appropriate photo to accompany a U.N. website commemorating the dropping of the bomb. Students are then introduced to 2 narratives about WWII: "Hiroshima as Victimization" (the Japanese point of view) vs. "Hiroshima as Triumph" (the American point of view). The class is then divided into 2 halves, each of which looks at a variety of source documents-anecdotes, letters, and data-through its side's point of view only. Students then form groups of 4 to choose which image should be used in the "website." Each group shares its image and explains why they chose it. In a final discussion, the class talks about whether the bomb should have been dropped and whether they can second-guess a decision like Truman's.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Winning World War II: Part 2 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II. You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war. And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.

CLICK HERE to open Part 1.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Winning World War II: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II.  You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war.  And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

From World War to Cold War: Part 2:

Explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

This is part 2 in a two-part series. CLICK HERE to open Part 1. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

From World War to Cold War: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953.  You'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history, and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Resource Collection

American Experience: Harry Truman:

This full-length video is a complete biography of Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States. Topics touched on include the atomic bombing of Japan, the Cold War, and the Korean War. Teachers should find the video an excellent resource to review or learn more about this time period.

The webpage also includes numerous shorter videos, articles, and primary sources about Truman and this time period in history, as well as a teacher's guide for using the film in class.

Type: Resource Collection

Tutorials

Crash Course U.S. History: World War II - Part 1:

In this tutorial video, you'll take a whirlwind journey through the events that led the U.S.A. to join and win World War II. You'll learn about the European and Pacific theaters of war and the fateful decision to use the first atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Enjoy this "crash course" in U.S. History!

Type: Tutorial

1945: The End of World War II:

Learn about the end of World War II in this tutorial video provided by Khan Academy.

Type: Tutorial

Original Student Tutorials Social Studies - U.S. History - Grades 9-12

From World War to Cold War: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953.  You'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history, and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

From World War to Cold War: Part 2:

Explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

This is part 2 in a two-part series. CLICK HERE to open Part 1. 

Winning World War II: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II.  You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war.  And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

 

Winning World War II: Part 2 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II. You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war. And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.

CLICK HERE to open Part 1.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

Winning World War II: Part 2 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II. You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war. And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.

CLICK HERE to open Part 1.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Winning World War II: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn how the United States and the Allies defeated the Axis Powers to win World War II.  You'll learn about battles and military campaigns, including D-Day, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war.  And you'll learn how atomic weapons brought the war to an end but changed the postwar world forever.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

From World War to Cold War: Part 2:

Explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

This is part 2 in a two-part series. CLICK HERE to open Part 1. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

From World War to Cold War: Part 1 (of 2):

In Parts 1 and 2 of this interactive tutorial series, explore the beginnings of the Cold War from 1945 to 1953.  You'll learn why this rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was a unique conflict in our nation's history, and how the U.S. assumed the role of world leader after World War II.  Finally, you'll learn how the Korean War was a proxy war in the larger context of the Cold War.  

CLICK HERE to open Part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Assessment

Quiz: The Second World War:

Test your knowledge of World War II with this 12-question multiple choice quiz provided by Khan Academy. Good luck!

Type: Assessment

Tutorials

Crash Course U.S. History: World War II - Part 1:

In this tutorial video, you'll take a whirlwind journey through the events that led the U.S.A. to join and win World War II. You'll learn about the European and Pacific theaters of war and the fateful decision to use the first atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Enjoy this "crash course" in U.S. History!

Type: Tutorial

1945: The End of World War II:

Learn about the end of World War II in this tutorial video provided by Khan Academy.

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.