Introduction
As one of the first major conflicts fought between nations since the devastation of the Second World War, some military generals were extremely fond of using nuclear weapons against the invading Communist North Korean forces. In 1950 the North Koreans invaded their democratic neighbors to the South in a bid to create a larger Communist state. After almost securing the Korean Penninsula, U.N. Forces, led by the U.S., pushed the North Korean forces back to the Chinese border. Then the Chinese counter-attacked and the war turned into a bitter stalemate.
Senior U.S. leaders were ready to deploy the only ace in the hole they had, nuclear armed strategic bombers. At the time, the Soviets had detonated an atomic weapon but did not have a delivery system for them. So, while enjoying a monopoly on nuclear warfare, should President Truman had listened to Gen. MacArthur and dropped the nuclear hammer on the aggressive onslaught of Communist forces, thus rewriting the rules of war?
Task
For this WebQuest you are the leader of the Free World. MISTER/MADAME President, Communist Forces are threatening to push our forces into the sea. The enemy is concentrating their forces en mass, Senior Military Officials are recommending the use of nuclear armed B-29's from Guam and Okinawa. Should we proceed with the attack? Use the information on the next page to help influence your choice.
Use what we have learned from the Second World War to help influence your decision. Consider all possible repercussions from the decision.
Process
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the Korean War using these articles and videos.
1. Korean War - Causes, Timeline & Veterans - HISTORY
2. The Korean War (1950–53) - YouTube
3. The Korean War | Article | The United States Army
4. The US, the USSR, and the the Korean War | Wilson Center Digital Archive
5. Korean War—strategic map - Anzac Portal (dva.gov.au)
6. Korean War Maps - U.S. Army Center of Military History
Step 2:
Identify critical turning points in the war and prepare a pros and cons list analyzing the use of nuclear weapons on the battlefield.
Step 3:
Make a decision as the Commander-in-Chief whether or not to use nuclear weapons, if you decide to use them, when would have been the optimal time to use them for maximum effectivity. Compose a journal article debating the decision, support your argument with two sources. Change the world Sir/Madame, we anxiously await your command.
Make it personal, internally debate the choices and weigh the outcomes.
Evaluation
Evaluation
|
Little to No Effort 0 |
Beginning 1 |
Standard 2 |
Exemplary 3 |
Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Historical Thinking |
Student made minimal effort and did not use sources to formulate an opinion. | Student analyzed one primary source from the Korean War to help formulate decision. | Student used 2 sources to support their decision. Utilized historical sources to influence their decisions. | Student analyzed more than 2 primary sources and constructed a believable scenario of the past. | |
|
Voice |
The paper wasn't very convincing to the reader and errors. |
Student did not use correct academic language. | Student used correct academic language in their entry. | Student went above and beyond with academic language. | |
|
Grammar & Punctuation |
Student made minimal effort, did not use any sources, made more than 7 grammar and punctuation errors. | Student made an effort to use correct grammar and punctuation, assignment contained less than 5 grammatical and punctuation errors. | Student had less than 3 grammatical and punctuation errors | Student had 0 grammatical and punctuation errors | |
|
Creativity |
Student made minimal effort and did not follow the format. |
Student organized the paper in a correct format more conducive to a journal. | Student composed a journal article and used made it convincing. | Student composed an article written from the depths of a troubled mind. |
Conclusion
The decision has been made and the world will learn from what has happened in the past to help formulate the best path possible.
We cannot change the past, but we can use it help influence our decision-making process in the future.
Credits
Author Biography
I am Jon Busonic and am completing this webquest for completion in HIS-304 for Grand Canyon University. I am currently on course to completing my Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education. I am an Army Veteran and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have been passionate about history for about as long as I can remember and cannot wait to share that passion with the world.
