Essential Question: To what extent did early Cold War policy establish “peace, progress, and prosperity” in the United States and around the world?
The first five lessons set the stage for the lead-up to the early Cold War. Lesson 1 addresses the aftermath of World War II and explains why Europe lost power and influence in the world as a result of the war. By the end of Lesson 2, scholars will understand why both the United States and the Soviet Union gained more power and influence in the world after the war, as well as how that contributed to a breakdown in their relationship. Lessons 3 through 5 emphasize the actions both countries took to start the Cold War, and scholars will be able to evaluate who was more responsible for beginning the decades-long conflict. By the end of these lessons, scholars will understand why the alliance between the Soviet Union and the United States fell apart and should be prepared to grapple with the events of the Cold War.
Lesson 1: The Aftermath of World War II (Gallery Walk)
- Central Question: How did the international community respond to World War II?
Lesson 2: Rival Superpowers (Video Analysis)
- Central Question: Why did the United States and the Soviet Union emerge as rival superpowers after World War II?
Lessons 3–5: The Cold War (DBQ Writing)
- Central Question: Who was more responsible for beginning the Cold War: the United States or the Soviet Union?
Lessons 6 and 7 address the international and domestic consequences of engaging in the Cold War. By the end of Lesson 6, scholars will understand that the Korean War was a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, in which the Cold War moved from an ideological conflict to a human conflict. Lesson 7 illustrates yet another dimension of the escalating international conflict, explaining the impact of the Cold War on science and technology. In this lesson, scholars will understand that, while this time period was one of huge advancements in space and weaponry, the consequences of these advancements were the escalation of tensions around the world and the growing threat of nuclear war. By the end of these lessons, scholars will understand the nature of the Soviet-American competition and power struggle and its consequences internationally.
Lesson 6: The Korean War (Source Analysis)
- Central Question: Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
Lesson 7: The Arms and Space Races (Jigsaw)
- Central Question: Why did the arms and space races escalate so quickly?
Lessons 8 through 11 address the domestic consequences of the early Cold War in the United States. The growing fear of communism and impending nuclear war changed the way Americans lived their lives. By the end of Lesson 8, scholars will understand how the Red Scare was a manifestation of the fear that Americans felt about communists infiltrating the United States, and how it consequently led to the denial of civil liberties to many Americans. Lessons 9 through 11 show how the fear and chaos of the early Cold War drove Americans to seek normalcy and stability in their everyday lives, which was reinforced by the rise of mass media and was made possible due to increased economic prosperity and the emergence of the middle class. By the end of Lesson 11, scholars will understand that while most Americans pursued societal conformity to achieve normalcy and stability, this did not apply to all Americans and inspired the rise of a counterculture.
Lesson 8: The Red Scare and Civil Liberties (Source Analysis)
- Central Question: How did the Red Scare limit the civil liberties of many Americans?
Lesson 9: American Society in the 1950s (Jigsaw)
- Central Question: To what extent did the economic prosperity of the 1950s improve the lives of all Americans?
Lessons 10–11: Advertising in American Society (PBL)
- Central Question: How did the rise of mass media and advertising affect American society?
Lessons 12 through 15 address the shifting nature of the Cold War conflict from the 1950s to the 1960s. After Lesson 12, scholars will understand the complicated legacy of John F. Kennedy, including how his leadership affected the course of the Cold War. This is most notably apparent during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which scholars will explore more in depth in Lessons 13 through
15. By the end of Lesson 15, scholars will be able to evaluate how the Cuban Missile Crisis reflected the world’s worst fears about the danger of the arms race and how Kennedy and Khrushchev were able to negotiate to avoid nuclear disaster. As a result of these lessons, scholars will be able to fully explain the complex character of the early Cold War.
Lesson 12: President John F. Kennedy (Source Analysis)
- Central Question: How did President Kennedy’s leadership affect American “peace, progress, and prosperity”?
Lessons 13–15: The Cuban Missile Crisis (DBQ Writing)
- Central Question: Why did the Soviets pull their missiles out of Cuba?