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FDR Mock Trial: The Cost of Success! |
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Historical Context: The Great Depression (1929-1942) was one of the worst economic disasters to ever plague a country. The country's economic system had collapsed, to seemingly unrepairable conditions. People were out of work, did not have food to eat, and were bankrupt of any means of existence. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected (4 times) in hopes of allieviating the American public of this horrific condition. He enacted a number of social and economic welfare programs designed to help the country climb out of depression. Although some of his programs had mild success, the country was not nearly restored to economic soundness until it entered World War II in 1941. Once the country was involved in war, the economy was put into overhaul, enabling Americans to go back to work and have a hope for a better life. Apparently, the only cure for the depression was a war of tremendous magnitude. Many historians have ventured that FDR intentionally got the U.S. involved in WWII to facilitate the country's recovery. There have been many allegations that the U.S. Government knew about the attack on Pearl Harbor before it actually happened. Most of the documents associated with the case are restricted due to "national security interests," thereby making it hard to come to any definitive decisions about the case. |
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Your Task: Franklin D. Roosevelt and his administration have been charged with having prior knowledge of the Pearl Harbor Attack. The class must now put him on trial in an attempt to get the truth about the Roosevelt Administration's involvement in encouraging war. We will hold a mock trial to analyze the information released to the public. The class must research information available, create witnesses and a model courtroom, assign lawyers, select a jury, and hold trial.
Roles: Students will be selected as either a Witness, Lawyer, or Jury member.
Witnesses: You will be assigned a role corresponding with a person involved in the time period. You are responsible for researching all information involving the witness that might be relevent to the case.
Franklin Roosevelt, Arthur McCollum,
Lawyers: You will be assigned to either the defense or prosecution, in charge of opening and closing statements, directing argumentation, calling witnesses, and convincing the jury of your case. You will be responsible for meeting with each of the witnesses to go over questioning, finding evidence to submit to the judge, and researching information that may support your side.
Jury: You will be responsible for taking notes during the trial on each of the witness testimonies and lawyer statements. You will then render a verdict in class. You will be responsible for writing a 600-1000 word essay including the facts of the case that were outlined in the trial, your personal opinion on the case, and evidence that supports your claims. |
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The following sites are a suggested starting point for students looking up information on this case! |
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Books to consider Skimming or Reading chapters from! |
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List of Sites and Books Online |
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Day of Deceit by Robert Stinnett
The New Dealers' War by Thomas Flemming
Roosevelt's Secret Wars by Joseph Persico
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Did FDR Know in Advance? |
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Historian's Forum |
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Government Cover ups |
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Watch the Wide Sea |
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Interview with Robert Stinnett |
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Day of Deceit - Chapter 2 |
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Ambassador Grew Warning |
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Myths about Pearl Harbor |
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American Myopia |
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