Lesson Plans World History II 13a: Beginning of the Cold War
Standard WH II: The student will demonstrate knowledge of major events in the second half of the twentieth century by
Objectives: Explaining key events of the Cold War, including the competition between the American and Soviet economic and political systems and the causes of the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Note: I tend to break SOL 13a into two parts. One part is on the causes of the Cold War. The other is on the causes of the Cold War ending.
Lesson Plans
Introduction: A Bell-ringer activity
Notes: Students copy-down and discuss teacher generated notes
Activities: Students complete various in class activities to support learning including video analysis, maps, charts, diagrams, graphic organizers, worksheets, text-book questions, group discussion, KWL Charts etc.
Assessment: Informal, Formal, Exit-Questions, Teacher Questioning. Quizzes, Tests, Projects.
Essential Knowledge:
Beginning of the Cold War (1945– 1948)
• The Yalta Conference and the Soviet control of Eastern Europe
• Rivalry between the United States and the U.S.S.R.
• Democracy and the free enterprise system vs. dictatorship and communism
• President Truman and the Policy of Containment
• Eastern Europe: Soviet satellite nations, the Iron Curtain
Activities that Support Lesson Plans
Communism vs Capitalism Analysis: Students may read a comparison between Communism and Capitalism and then answer questions.
What Caused the Cold War Inquiry Method: A set of 12 documents. I normally assign students to a group and then using a carousal format, rotate around the room stopping at each station and completing the questions.
What Caused the Cold War Type 2 Data Set Analysis: Student worksheet with questions.
What Caused the Cold War PowerPoint: Introduction PowerPoint, complete with answers.
