Monday, March 31, 2014

Cold War Unit

Cold War Research

Due Date: 5/2/2014


Standards
WH10.9.1. Compare the economic and military power shifts caused by the war, including the Yalta Pact, the development of nuclear weapons, Soviet control over Eastern European nations, and the economic recoveries of Germany and Japan.

WH10.9.3. Understand the importance of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, which established the pattern for America’s postwar policy of supplying economic and military aid to prevent the spread of Communism and the resulting economic and political
competition in arenas such as Southeast Asia (i.e., the Korean War, Vietnam War), Cuba, and Africa.

kennedy v. khrusheve.gif



Introduction
During the years following World War II, the world had two superpower nations, the United States and the Soviet Union. These two nations competed to create the strongest economies and militaries. In this unit, we will analyze the strategies that each of these countries employed in efforts to grow their status as a world power.


Central Question
Why were the United States and Soviet Union able to become military and economic superpowers after WWII?


Assignments
1. Check out this interactive map. Write one paragraph to answer each of the following prompts:
a. Looking at the first map, describe how USA and USSR use nuclear weapons and alliances to grow their military power.
b. Looking at the second map, describe two ways the Soviet Union expanded its economic power.

2. Read this Yalta Conference Article. Find quotes that could help you answer each of the following questions:
a. How did the Yalta Conference divide Germany?
b. What was the secret deal between Stalin and Roosevelt?

3. Look at the two political cartoons. Make a T-Chart to show the pros and cons of the Truman Doctrine according to these two political cartoons:truman doctrine 1.jpg

truman doctrine2.jpg


4. Analyze this Marshall Plan Chart. In your own words, write a few sentences to answer each of the following questions:
a. How did the Marshall Plan help the economy of European countries?
b. How did the Marshall Plan help the United States’ economy?
c. How did the Marshall Plan hurt the Soviet Union economy?

5. Read this Nikolai Novikov Telegram. Write one paragraph to answer the following question:
a. According to Novikov, what were the goals of United States’ foreign policy?

6. Read this United States - Japan Treaty Article. Find quotes to help you respond to the following questions:
a. How was the treaty advantageous to Japan?
b. How was the treaty advantageous to the United States?

7. Go to this website. Read the article about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Listen to Kennedy’s radio remarks about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Write a few sentences to answer each of the following questions:
a. What were the Soviets trying to do in Cuba?
b. What were the two agreements made between Kennedy and Khruschev?

8. Write a four paragraph post comparing US and USSR political strategies. Include:
a. a thesis statement
b. a well organized introduction paragraph
c. a body paragraph that uses evidence to describe US strategies
d. a body paragraph that uses evidence to describe USSR strategies
e. a conclusion paragraph highlighting the similarities between US and USSR strategies.

9. Write a one paragraph response to one of your classmates’ posts.

Conclusion
The United States and Soviet Union were very dissimilar, in terms of their political beliefs. The United States believed in capitalism and democracy. The Soviet Union pushed for more of a communist, totalitarian approach. However, both nations used similar tactics to spread their ideology. Do you notice any similarities between US and Soviet political strategies?


No comments:

Post a Comment