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German Surrender: Radio address and teaching activity

Lesson Author
O'Neil, Judy
Course(s)
U. S. History
Required Time Frame
One Class
Subject(s)
World War II
Grade Level(s)
9
10
11
12
Lesson Abstract
Students will listen to the American radio broadcast of Germany's surrender and answer questions relating to the broadcast
Description

Students will listen to the American radio broadcast of Germany's surrender and answer questions relating to the broadcast.

Lesson Objectives - the student will

The student will be able to answer questions relating to Germany's surrender.

District, state, or national performance and knowledge standards/goals/skills met

Missouri Standards

2. Continuity and change in the history of Missouri, the United States and the world

6. Relationships of the individual and groups to institutions and cultural traditions

7. The use of tools of social science inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps, documents)

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).

1. (K) explains why the United States emerged as a superpower as the result of World War II.

Benchmark 5: The student engages in historical thinking skills.

1. (A) analyzes a theme in United States history to explain patterns of continuity and change over time.

2. (A) develops historical questions on a specific topic in United States history and analyzes the evidence in primary source documents to speculate on the answers.

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

Broadcast to the American People Announcing the
Surrender of Germany
May 8, 1945
[Delivered from the Radio Room at the White House at 9 a. m.]

Watch speech and read transcript: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/public-papers/27/broadcast-american-people-announcing-surrender-germany

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

1. What was the purpose of the speech?

 

2. List three important things President Truman said in his address.

 

3. List three things the President said the American people need to do.

 

4. What was the significance of May 13, 1945? What national symbol did President Truman
use to mark the significance of this date?

 

5. What does this speech reveal about the impact of World War II on the lives of people?

 

6. What question would you have asked of the President after listening to his address?

 

7. When President Truman delivered a radio address, there was an audience that included
reporters, photographers, and special guests. What guests do you think were invited to
this broadcast?
 

 

8. President Truman’s announcement of the German surrender on May 8th had a personal
significance for the President. What do you think was so special about the 8th of May?