Lesson Plan: The New York Times begins publishing the Pentagon Papers

Details of the Lesson

This lesson is designed for high school students studying history. It will cover the events surrounding the publication of the Pentagon Papers by The New York Times in 1971.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will know the background of the Vietnam War and the government's involvement.
• Students will understand the significance of the Pentagon Papers and their impact on the government and the media.
• Students will be able to analyze primary sources and draw conclusions about the events surrounding the publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Methodology

This lesson will be taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and primary source analysis. Students will be provided with copies of the Pentagon Papers and will work in groups to analyze and draw conclusions from the documents. The teacher will provide a lecture on the background of the Vietnam War and the government's involvement, followed by a discussion on the significance of the Pentagon Papers and their impact on the government and the media.

Resources/Materials

• Copies of the Pentagon Papers
• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Handouts on the background of the Vietnam War

Activities

• Introduction to the Vietnam War and the government's involvement (lecture)
• Discussion on the significance of the Pentagon Papers and their impact on the government and the media
• Primary source analysis of the Pentagon Papers in small groups
• Group presentations on their analysis and conclusions
• Class discussion on the conclusions drawn from the primary sources

Assessment

Students will be assessed through their participation in the group analysis and presentation, as well as their contributions to the class discussion. They will also be given a written assignment to analyze a different primary source related to the Vietnam War and draw conclusions from it.