Students will collaboratively formulate an arguable question and determine their initial stances by exploring primary sources, engaging in group discussions, and participating in a curated video debate on President Truman's atomic decision, setting the stage for their role in the mock trial.

Students will dive into primary historical documents and diverse source materials to evaluate President Truman’s rationale and ethical considerations for deploying atomic weapons, while collaboratively employing research skills to form evidence-based arguments for both prosecution and defense roles.

Students will collaboratively construct detailed, evidence-based arguments for either the prosecution or defense in the mock trial, evaluating source credibility and anticipating counterarguments, while critically refining written statements through peer feedback and rubrics.

Students will publicly present and defend their argument in a mock trial setting, leveraging evidence from primary sources, engaging with counterarguments, and reflecting on their communication strategies and the broader implications of ethical military decisions in international arenas.