Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete and critical understanding of the lives and diverse perspectives of people who were involved in the Vietnam War. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a spider map highlighting at least 3 key figures from the Vietnam War. They should include information about their impact, importance or role, and core beliefs.
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Due Date:
Objective: Research some of the key figures from the Vietnam War and create a spider map that highlights 3-6 of them.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: 3-6 people with names, dates of birth/death, illustrations, accomplishments.
Encourage students to think critically by assigning them the roles of different Vietnam War figures and structuring a debate. This method helps students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of historical perspectives.
Select or let students choose a key figure to research and represent. This promotes ownership and helps ensure diverse viewpoints are covered during the debate.
Offer thought-provoking questions related to the Vietnam War, such as motives, strategies, and consequences. Clear prompts help students prepare and stay focused during the debate.
Establish expectations for listening, turn-taking, and respectful disagreement. These rules create a safe environment for all students to participate.
Guide students to use facts and primary sources when making their points. Active moderation keeps the discussion focused and meaningful.
Lead a debrief session where students discuss new insights and empathy gained from examining the Vietnam War through various roles.
Key figures in the Vietnam War include Hồ Chí Minh, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Vo Nguyen Giap, Ngô Đình Diệm, and anti-war activists like Muhammad Ali and Jane Fonda. Researching these leaders and activists helps students understand different perspectives and roles in the conflict.
Guide students to select 3–6 notable individuals from the Vietnam War, research their biographies, roles, and beliefs, then organize the information visually in a spider map with names, dates, images, and brief descriptions for each person.
Students should include the person’s name, birth and death dates (if applicable), a short description of their role or importance during the Vietnam War, relevant accomplishments, and an illustration or image representing them.
Studying real people from the Vietnam War helps students gain a more concrete, empathetic, and critical understanding of history, moving beyond memorization to see diverse perspectives and the human impact of the conflict.
Examples of anti-war figures from the Vietnam War to include are Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Fonda, Robert F. Kennedy, and John Kerry, all of whom spoke out or acted against the war in different ways.