A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Executive Order 9981 Truman Presidential Museum and Library: "Multimedia Digital Archives" On July 26, 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services. This project website, produced for the 50th anniversary of the Executive Order, presents the historic document as well as interesting background materials organized in an interactive format. This resource enables students to explore an important outcome of African American military service in World War II. The students can read the order and jot down ideas about how people might have responded to Truman's words (for example, from the perspective of an African-American WWII veteran, an American general, a NAACP lawyer, a white farmer, and a Soviet leader). This could be the beginning of a discussion on how the ideologies of the Cold War played out in the daily lives of Americans. Students can write a reactionary historical journal entry from the perspective of a former WWII African-American soldier (perhaps a Tuskegee Airman) to Truman's order. The teacher can prompt students to think about the emotions of an African-American who fought for a country in which his place is marginalized in society, especially when he was supposedly fighting to promote democracy. In the context of the increasingly threatening Cold War, what might such a person question about his country? The teacher should be sure to return to this document when the class begins to discuss the roots of the Civil Rights Movement.

(b) identifying the major compromises necessary to produce the Constitution, and the roles of James Madison and George Washington;

The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 by James Madison
constitution.org

Description: The Great Compromise refers to the many compromises necessary in obtaining the ratification of the Constitution. This report by James Madison outlines compromises of the number of representatives in the legislature, the census, and government salaries.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

Have groups of students share or create examples from their lives when compromises were necessary. As a whole class discuss how contemporary bodies, such as businesses and our government, compromise on issues. Then, relate these experiences to the ratifying of the Constitution. Why are these compromises part of the so-called “Great Compromise”? What could have happened if delegates didn’t compromise?

Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

From this document, have students create a list of issues that needed to be resolved prior to the Constitution being ratified. Discuss why and to whom these issues were important.
Have students, or groups, research some current debates occurring in Congress. Then, have each student or group present both sides of the debate. Discuss the need for compromise in our government.