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A Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs Lesson PlanA Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs Lesson Plan
Publisher
Center for History Education
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
1 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 hrs
Instructional Strategies
Discussion
2 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

A Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This A Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs lesson plan also includes:
  • A Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs (.html)
  • Resource Sheet #1: Presidential Brief: The Situation in Cuba (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #2: Presidential Decision-Making: JFK and the Bay of Pigs (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #3: President Kennedy: To Invade or Not to Invade? (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #4: Advising President Kennedy (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #5: President John F. Kennedy on Cuba (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #6: Memo from Under Sec. Bowles to Sec. Rusk, March 31, 1961 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #7: Telegram from Ambassador Thompson to the Dept. of State (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #8: Memo Prepared by the CIA in Washington, January 19, 1961 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #9: Evaluating the Options: A Conversation with the President (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #10: JFK and the Bay of Pigs: A Political Cartoon (.pdf)
  • Activity
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

The lesson examines President Kennedy's response to the Bay of Pigs Crisis and  Cold War tensions. Academics learn how the information President Kennedy had affected his response to the question of whether to invade Cuba. Scholars read documents, look at political cartoons, complete worksheets, and participate in group discussion. 

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Concepts

america, american history, the united states, john f. kennedy, the presidency of john f. kennedy, the bay of pigs, cuba, the cuban missile crisis, the cold war, tension, communism, fears, political cartoons, presidential roles and powers, united states presidents, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources, historical analysis, historical context, historical documents, fidel castro

Instructional Ideas

  • Guide a group discussion on alternate outcomes to the Bay of Pigs crisis 
  • Have learners create a report for the president explaining the situation in Cuba 

Classroom Considerations

  • Lesson will take 1-2 class periods 

Pros

  • Resource includes an extension activity if time allows
  • Lesson uses primary sources to enhance learning 

Cons

  • None

View 93,157 other resources for 6th - 12th Grade Social Studies & History

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