Every official investigation into President Kennedy’s assassination, for example, the Warren Commission, has said that Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible, and that he was the only person responsible

However, other researchers have suggested there are flaws in the official investigation, that many more people were involved and believe that Oswald was framed. Could this be true?

Useful links

Assassination of JFK (Spartacus) – a huge site that covers all of the groups involved. Best place to start is the Overview of theories

On this day: 22nd November – BBC website which is a very good introduction to the events of 22nd November 1963.

Kennedy assassination – very detailed description of what happened between 22nd-25th November 1963.

Daley Plaza – plans and diagrams about the place Kennedy was assassinated.

Lee Harvey Oswald – information about the person assumed to be the assassin.

Who killed JFK? – a review of possible suspects.

Kennedy assassination conspiracies – another overview of possible suspects.

John F Kennedy – background information on Kennedy’s presidency

The last two days – a 19 minute film of the events leading up to the shooting in Texas.

Investigation

You are going to find out some of about the groups and individuals accused of conspiring in President Kennedy’s assassination. Each person in a group will investigate a different suspect, and become an expert on their suspect. Your group will then use their expertise to decide who is the most likely guilty person or group and prepare a report to present your evidence to the class.

Outline

Lesson 1/2: investigating suspects

You can select from the following groups and individuals. All of these people have been suspected of President Kennedy’s assassination.

• the USSR
• President Fidel Castro / Cuba
• FBI/CIA
• the Mafia
• Lee Harvey Oswald
• President Lyndon B Johnson

In your jotters, write down which person is investigating which suspect. You do not need to research all six.

Remember to use all of the work you have already done in class too.

Lesson 2/3: analysis of the evidence 

Return to your home group which now has three / four experts. Decide which of the suspects has the most evidence against them. Plan how to present your evidence to the class. NB you may not use Powerpoint, but you can show images on the screen if you need to show evidence to your audience.

Presentation

Each presentation should be a minimum of two minutes and everyone should take part.

You can use notes, posters and images but no powerpoint.

Skills used in this investigation

• Working in a team
• Information literacy:  research skills, using encyclopaedias, keywords, scanning, mind-mapping, analysis and selection of information
• Planning
• Presentation skills

Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes

People, past events and societies (SOC 3-01a)
I can use my knowledge of a historical period to interpret the evidence and present an informed view.

People, past events and societies (SOC 3-06b)
Through researching, I can identify possible causes of a past conflict and report on the impact it has had on the lives of people at that time.