Introduction
(Image 1 on left, Image 2 on right)
Image 1- This picture displays how America believes other countries are following after the Soviet Union and becoming communist while the Soviet Union is watching America try to stop it.
Image 2- This picture displays how the Soviet Union is spreading their ideology all over the world while America is watching frightened.
The Cold War began in 1945 as the result and continued tension between the United States and Soviet Union. President Harry Truman made tensions worse by using the atomic bomb as leverage and also using the Truman Doctrine to raise money to fund democracy in third world countries. The United States also belived strongly in the Domino Effect, where if one country becomes a communist nation, others like it will fall into the rule of communism also. Yet again, this rose tensions even higher between the Soviet Union and America.
- How did the ending and duration of the Cold War create effects that were felt throughout the world?
- How did the Space Race and Arms Race find a way to increase tensions in the United States and Soviet Union?
- What effect did the Korean and Vietnam War have on the total impact of the war and more America's pride?
Task
Complete the following task to answer the essential questions:
Task: Write and essay
Directions:
1. Research 6 articles [in pairs of 2 about the same topic]
2. Compare and contrast the different perspectives and meanings
3. Create a Venn diagram or other kind of chart to help you to prepare for your essay
4. Write the essay
Process
Follow the timeline below to guide you through your task:
1. Find 8 documents that answer the essential question (in pairs of 2 so you can compare and contrast) - 20-30 min
Example: 2 documents on the Vietnam War (one from America's point of view and one from Soviet Union's point of view), 2 documents on the Korean War (one from North Korea's point of view and one from South Korea's point of view), and 2 documents on the space race (one from the Soviet's point of view and one document from America's point of view), and 2 on the Arms Race (one from communist and one from democratic point of view).
2. Read the 6 documents and take a half a page worth of notes for each document - 30-50 min
3. Create a Venn diagram or any other type of chart that compares and contrasts. Label one side "Democratic" and the other "Communist". Complete the chart fully. - 45-60 min
4. Using the chart as your outline, write an essay comparing and contrasting the differences between Communist countries and Democratic Countries. Be sure to answer the essential questions while writing your essay as well as the end of the war and effects of the war. - 90-120 min
Resources-
Use the following resources to help you cond your research:
- http://www.history.com/topics/space-race
Beginning in the late 1950s, space would become another dramatic arena for this competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union, as each side tried to prove the superiority of its technology, its military firepower and–by extension–its political-economic system.h
- http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/arms-race
An arms race denotes a rapid increase in the quantity or quality of instruments of military power by rival states in peacetime. The Soviets and American's built up their defense weapons.
- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/25/science/space/25mili.html
This source explains the development from the space race to the arms race. This was caused by increased tensions and fueding.
-http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cuny/laptop/coldwar.html
This source is about America's changes post war. The changes were politically developmental.
- https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russia-fsu/1992-09-01/cold-war-…
This source explains the political, economical, and cultural changes post war. This source expands it's view to worldwide and not just the United States.
- https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-t…
This source explains the costs and consequences of the war. For esample, America lost lots of lives in the Vietnam war and lots of money on defense spending.
- http://www.history.com/topics/korean-war
The Korean War began when korea parted into the north and south and shared different ideals of democracy and communism. The U.S. sided with the democratic side.
- http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history
The Vietnam war was a costly loss for the U.S. when they sided with democratic side part of Vietnam over the communist side. Many lives were lost in an embarrassing loss for the U.S.
- http://gcsehistory.pbworks.com/w/page/8041668/Korea%20and%20Vietnam%20-…
This source shows the similarities and differences between the Korean and Vietnam War. For example, the casualties occurred closer together in the Korean War opposed to the Vietnam war.
Evaluation
Rubric:
engagement
5- excellent
4- satisfactory
3- basic
2- below basic
1- did not attempt
presentation
5- excellent
4- satisfactory
3- basic
2- bellow basic
1- did not attempt
analysis
5- excellent
4- satisfactory
3- basic
2- below basic
1- did not attempt
attractiveness
5- excellent
4- satisfactory
3- basic
2- below basic
1- did not attempt
understanding
5- excellent
4- satisfactory
3- basic
2- below basic
1- did not attempt
Conclusion
1. Do you feel that your knowledge of the Cold War was enhanced as a result of compeleting this Webquest?
2. What was the most difficult part of this Webquest?
3. What can be done to improve this Webquest?
4. Do you believe this webquest is a helpful teaching and learning tool?
5. Do you believe this Webquest was engaging?