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Lessons
Teaching With Documents : Telegram From Senator Joseph McCarthy to President Harry S. Truman
Discipline
Social Studies
Grades
9, 10
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Professional Commentary

This resource is taken from the National Archives Teaching with Documents series. This lesson plan focuses on a telegram sent from Senator McCarthy to President Truman and Truman's unsent response. Students analyze the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government with regard to matters of national security. Activities include students working in groups to investigate broader issues regarding the rights of political, racial and ethnic minorities and the concept of executive privilege. A document analysis worksheet is included as well as guide questions for further investigation.

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Ohio Social Studies Academic Content Standards (2010)
Course: American History
Historical Thinking and Skills
2. 
The use of primary and secondary sources of information includes an examination of the credibility of each source.
The Cold War (1945-1991)
25. 
The Second Red Scare and McCarthyism reflected Cold War fears in American society.
Social Studies Standards (2001)
History
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 10)
12.
Explain major domestic developments after 1945 with emphasis on:
  1. Postwar prosperity in the United States;
  2. McCarthyism;
  3. The space race;
  4. Immigration patterns.