Dwight D. Eisenhower

Introduction

Hold Ipad in landscape orientation 
Dwight D. Eisenhower, or "Ike", was the President of the United States of America from 1953-1961. He was a popular politician, as well as an intuitive military leader. While Eisenhower was not directly involved in the Vietnam War, per se, he was one of the catalysts that propelled the war into a trepidatious reality. In this WebQuest, you will learn about the events that lead up to the war, and how our 34th president was involved.

 

Task

Learning Goal:

To Learn more about Dwight Eisenhowers role in the Vietnam War

Task:

Individually, students will answer 9 questions in 1-2 complete sentences. Then, they will ready articles  and complete fill in the blank paragraphs. 

Process

Answer questions on a sheet of notebook paper

You have two tasks: (direct links to all websites are under "credits") 

1. Answer the following nine questions about Eisenhower's role in the events that led up to the war. 

    A. What was Eisenhower's role in World War Two?                                                                                                  

  For this question use http://www.biography.com/people/dwight-d-eisenhower-9285482

    B. What phrase became his presidential campaign slogan?

For this question use www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/dwightdeisenhower

    C. What was his response to the French Indochinese War?

For this question use Http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/dwight-d-eisenhower.html

    D. After careful consideration on his part, what resource did Eisenhower send to the French?                                            

For this question use Http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/dwight-d-eisenhower.html

    E. Which famous theory did he give a speech on? (think: fun games)                                                                             

For this question use Www.history.com/this-day-in-history/eisenhower-gives-famous-domino-theory-speech

    F. What did the theory in question E discuss about the potential spread of?                                                                     

For this question use http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/dwight-d-eisenhower

    G. What did Eisenhower do to propagate the pro-civil rights agenda of the majority of the United States?

 For this question use http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/essays/biography/1

    H. What was Eisenhower's opinion on the loudmouthed McCarthy?                                                                                 

For this question use http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/essays/biography/1

    I. Was Eisenhower a warmonger-did he look to continue past wars?

For this question use http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/essays/biography/1

2. Read and answer two fill in the blank paragraphs:

     A. Soon after taking office, _______ signed an armistice ending the _________ War. Aside from sending combat troops into ______ in 1958, he would send no other armed forces into active duty throughout his presidency, though he did not hesitate to authorize defense spending. He also authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to undertake covert operations against _________ around the world, two of which toppled the governments of Iran in 1953 and _______ in 1954. In 1954, Eisenhower decided against authorizing an air strike to rescue French troops from defeat at _______, avoiding a war in Indochina, though his support for the anti-communist government in ________ Vietnam would sow the seeds of future U.S. participation in the ________War.

Read: http://www.biography.com/people/dwight-d-eisenhower-9285482

 

     B.Along with the larger structural and ________ causes of the war in Vietnam, the experience, personality, and temperament of each president played a role in deepening the ________ commitment. Dwight Eisenhower restrained U.S. involvement because, having commanded troops in battle, he doubted the _______ could fight a land war in Southeast Asia. The youthful John _______, on the other hand, felt he had to prove his resolve to the American people and his Communist adversaries, especially in the aftermath of several ________ policy blunders early in his administration. Lyndon Johnson saw the Vietnam War as a test of his mettle, as __________ and as a man. He exhorted his soldiers to "nail the coonskin to the wall" in Vietnam, likening victory to a successful hunting expedition.

Read: http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/causes.htm


Evaluation

 

Exceptional

All points earned

Admirable

-3 points

Developing

-6 points

Needs Improvement

-10 points

 

Use of Internet (Links provided)

Successfully uses suggested Internet links to find information and navigate within these sites easily without assistance.

Usually able to use suggested Internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Occasionally able to use suggested Internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.

Needs assistance of supervision to use suggested Internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

Web Quests Tasks Completed

All areas of the project were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. Project is interesting and completed.

The project is only partially completed. The project submitted demonstrates a great deal of thought. (Between 50% and 75% complete)

The project is only partially completed. The project submitted demonstrated a moderate level of thought. (Between 50% and 75% complete)

The project is incomplete, and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development of the project, and/or project is less that 50% complete.

Power Point/Publisher Project – Attractive-ness

Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.

Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.

Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.

Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentation content.

 

 

 

Time Use

Classroom time was used to work on the project. Conversations were not disruptive and focused on the work.

Classroom time was used to work on the project the majority of the time. Conversations were not disruptive and focused on the work.

Classroom time was used to work on the project the majority of the time, but conversations often were disruptive or did not focus on the work.

The student did not use classroom time to work on the project the majority of the time and/or was highly disruptive.

 

Grammar, Format, and Spelling

The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

The final body of work had 1-2 errors related to grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
Conclusion

 This project hopefully raised your understanding of one of America’s greatest presidents, Dwight Elsenhower. His legendary reign helped carry him through some of the most harrowing times America has ever faced. He has supported the European Theater of WW2 and he has helped build up the American economy. His legacy will continue on long after his death. He championed civil rights causes a notable example would be sending troops to protect the “Little Rock Nine” against the bigots of Arkansas. He is a true hero, and for further information on him you can read his memoirs for an in-depth look into his presidency. 

Credits