Source analysis: The atomic bomb
Summary of task
Students examined two sources relating to the use of the atomic bomb in 1945: a primary source from US President Truman; and a secondary source from a recent historian. They were asked to analyse each source in relation to its content and perspective and to draw a conclusion about how it assists in understanding an action and decision from the past. The task took place at the end of a unit on World War II and was completed in class over two 50-minute lessons as a formative assessment task.