Lesson Plan
In this three-day inquiry lesson, students will explore a WebQuest filled with records produced by the committee led by Senator Harry Truman. This committee was tasked with uncovering alleged waste, fraud, and abuse during World War II. Students will answer the compelling question, “Is it worth it for Congress to investigate problems?”
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- Lesson plan
- Primary sources
- Student worksheets
- Answer key
When people create delays for profit, when they sell poor products for defense use, when they cheat on price and quality, they aren't any different from a draft dodger and the public-at-large feels just that way about it.
As the United States prepared to enter the Second World War, then-Senator Harry Truman, concerned that the massive ramp-up to war would lead to waste fraud and abuse unless closely checked, launched a massive, wide-ranging investigatory effort into every aspect of domestic war production. These investigations were wide ranging and led to some of our country’s first on site hearings as Truman travelled the country. He and his committee examined government contracts, employees and property to ensure money was being handled effectively, and to secure a victory for the United States. These investigations even included a trip to the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The findings of these investigations streamlined the war efforts, instilled faith in the government at a difficult time, and challenged all Americans to participate in winning the war.
Content Standards
MI USHG – 7.2.3 Impact of World War II on American Life Analyze the changes in American life brought about by U.S. participation in World War II, including:
- the mobilization of economic, military, and social resources.
- the role of women, African Americans, and ethnic minority groups in the war effort, including the work of A. Philip Randolph and the integration of U.S. military forces.
- the role of the home front in supporting the war effort.
- the conflict and consequences around the internment of Japanese-Americans.
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