Investigating the Relationship Between Harry Truman and Douglas MacArthur

In this lesson, learners will consider what they know about President Harry Truman and his involvement with the Korean War and the relationship that existed between him and General Douglas MacArthur. Truman attempted to contain communism in the Cold War and guided America into the murky waters of the Korean War. MacArthur was put in command of United Nations forces against the North Koreans when the Korean War started. MacArthur had a different view than Truman on the war in Korea and strategies for winning the war. This view caused a major rift between the General and the President.

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Home Page- source

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Students will be able to:

Collaborate in small groups to summarize information and present that information to other students.
Analyze primary sources in different formats, including written text, visuals, and statistical date.
Collaborate with other students to explain relevant information in an understandable fashion.

Essential and guiding questions:

How did the relationship between Truman and MacArthur change in the midst of the Korean War?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Analyzing

Extension suggestions:

OLD SOLDIER NEVER DIE
Print copies of the speech “Old Soldiers Never Die” and distribute one copy to each student. Students should read and review the speech after the close of this lesson with the understanding that the speech was given after MacArthur had been relieved of duty from the United States military. After reading the speech, students should complete the Document Analysis Tool and discuss their interpretation of MacArthur’s perspective after having served his country. In addition to MacArthur, what was the general perception about the President and his treatment of MacArthur and vice versa? As a guide to assist students have students think of the following questions while completing this assignment:

Did MacArthur’s view of America change?
Does MacArthur seem bitter or joyful during the speech?
The speech was given at West Point. What do you think the impression was amongst the cadets?
Truman served in the military. Do you believe his views on the military changed after he became President of the United States?
Does Truman appear to be happy with his decisions regarding MacArthur?
Do you think you could have made some of the same decisions that Truman had to make?

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
Ask students to interview family members that may have lived during this era about their reflections of the Truman/MacArthur dynamic. Students should ask questions such as:

How did the newspapers across the country report the events?
What was the general understanding of the Truman/MacArthur dynamic in their particular area of the country at that time?
How did it affect peoples’ views on the government and the military?

Ask your students to ask permission of the interviewees if the interviews can be recorded on their cell phones so that the personal interviews can be shared with the class. Have students to review the Veteran’s History Project for first-hand accounts of military perceptions of the nature of the relationship between Truman and MacArthur. How does these different accounts of the time period vary? What commonalities to
you see?

Helpful Hints

MATERIALS:

Scissors
8 large brown envelopes
Cardstock
Giant Post-it notes or chart paper
Library of Congress Primary Sources Analysis Tool
Political Cartoon Analysis Guide
Photograph Analysis Guide
Size 4 x 6 colored index cards
4 different colors of regular sized Post-it notes
Class timer