Introduction
From 1945 -1991 the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a battle that became known as the Cold War. In this quest you will be able to identify the differences between the nations and what caused the conflict to erupt.
Task
You will complete all activities under the "Process" section in order to understand the origins of the Cold War.
Process
Activity One:
1. Read and analyze the East vs. West chart.
2. Use the information from the chart and describe the differences between the U.S. and Soviet Union (Russia). You will complete this activity by opening Google Classroom and clicking on Cold War Activity #1 assignment and submiting.
East versus West in the Cold War
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East |
West |
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Government |
A one-party state – only the Communist Party is allowed. In theory, the country is run by elected councils called Soviets. But all members of the Soviets are Communists, so the country is really run by the Party.
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A democratic state. Many parties are allowed to stand in elections. The leader of the party which wins an election becomes the head of the government.
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Human rights |
Strict limits on many human and civil rights e.g. limits on free speech, travel, worship etc. Dissidents (people who try to break those limits) risk imprisonment. |
Fewer limits on human and civil rights than in the East, and some rights are guaranteed by law. (But until the 1960s many rights were denied to black Americans.)
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Social |
Average living standards lower than in the West. Wealth more evenly distributed, so fewer people are either rich or poor. |
Average living standards higher than in the East. Wealth distributed unevenly, so there are more poor people than in the East.
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Economic |
A government-run economy: factories, farms, mines, shops, etc. are publicly owned. Profits used for the public good. |
A free-market economy: farms, factories, mines, shops, etc. are privately owned. Profits go to the company.
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Cultural |
The media are owned and run by the government. Newspapers, books, radio, films, TV are strictly censored. |
The media are owned by private companies and individuals. Newspapers, books, radio, TV and films are rarely censored |
Activity #2:
Click on the link below and watch the clip. Then proceed to Google Classroom and complete the questions titled Cold War Activity #2 and submit.
Why Did the Cold War Begin? - YouTube
Activity #3:
Research the events listed below and give a brief description of each on the assignment titled Cold War Activity #3 on Google Classroom then submit.
-Division of Germany (Post WWII)
-Berlin Wall
-Berlin Airlift
-Iron Curtain
-Marshall Plan
-Truman Doctrine
-Containment
-Domino Theory
Evaluation
Each activity will be started in class and finished for homework.
The completed activities will each count as a homework grade.
Conclusion
Students will understand how the United States and the Soviet Union got locked into a Cold War following World War II.