U.S. Reactions to the Cold War. Helpful or Hurtful?

 

By Patrick Starke

Grade 8 social studies

Whitesboro Middle School District

pstark@wboro.org

 

“Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.”

Nikita Khruschev – leader of the Soviet Union (said to Western diplomats in 1956)

 

“The Cold War isn't thawing; it is burning with a deadly heat. Communism isn't sleeping; it is, as always, plotting, scheming, working, fighting.”

Richard M Nixon – former Vice President and future President (said in 1964)

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Immediately after the end of World War II, the United States got involved in another conflict that would last for over forty years.  The Cold War dominated our thinking and our lives from 1945 up to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.  Throughout this conflict the U.S. embarked on many policies that used tremendous financial resources as well as policies that impacted people at home. You will pretend you are a journalist during the Cold War.  You will decide if the policies of the U.S. during the Cold War were helpful or hurtful.

 

 

TASK:

Persuasive Essay

You will write a persuasive essay on your assigned topic.

 

Smartboard Presentation

You and your partner will develop a Smartboard presentation.

 

Below are the following topics you can focus on:

1.           Truman Doctrine

2.           Marshal Plan

3.           Berlin Airlift

4.           The Korean War

5.           McCarthy Hearings/HUAC

6.           Bomb Shelters/Duck and Cover Drills/MAD – Federal Civil Defense Administration

7.           Sputnik

8.           The Berlin Wall is built

9.           The Cuban Missile Crisis

10.      The Vietnam War

11.      Aid to Mujahadeen in Afghanistan 

 

 

PROCESS/RESOURCES

Instructions for creating your persuasive essay:

·        Work independently

·        perspective of someone living during that time period

·        typed and carefully proofread (spell check, grammar check)

·        use your own words to describe the problem and the U.S. policy or reaction to the problem.

·        Take a position on whether you believe the policy was helpful or hurtful.

 

Instructions for creating your SmartBoard presentation

·        at least four primary sources in your slideshow. (photos, quotes, wording from laws, etc.)

·        six slides total

·        A title slide

·        A closing slide with a question about whether the policy was helpful or hurtful.

 

You will work independently in writing your persuasive essay.

You will use the AHPPA outline to help you analyze your assigned Cold War topic.

 

        Step One: Identify the Problem  (see worksheet 1)

        Step Two: Gather Evidence of the Problem  (see worksheet 2)

        Step Three: What are the Causes? (see worksheet 3)

        Step Four: Evaluate the Policy (see worksheet 4)

        You may use a variety of resources to research your topic.  Below are some resources that might assist you developing your persuasive essay to determine whether the Cold War assigned topic was helpful or hurtful.

 

·         http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/suez.htm

·         http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/index.asp

·         http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/cold_war.htm 

·         http://www.historywiz.com/coldwar.htm

·         www.google.com

·         http://www.pbs.org/search/search_results.html?q=cold+war

·         www.teachertube.com

 

 

EVALUATION

Editorial Rubric

 

4

3

2

1

Introduction

Attention Grabbing! Uses strategies modeled in class.

Makes an appropriate attempt at generating interest, but lacks originality and/or voice.

Shows an understanding of the topic, but fails to generate immediate interest.

Does not display an understanding of the topic.

Evidence and Development

Ideas are fully developed. Implements proper persuasive essay structure and elements.

Ideas are developed, but could use more supporting evidence. Implements proper persuasive essay structure and elements.

Ideas are present, but not well developed. May lack pertinent persuasive essay elements.

Does not display an understanding of the topic.

Conclusion

Fully developed, utilizes strategies modeled in class.

Present, but not fully developed.

Present, but does not correlate with essay or is vague.

Does not display an understanding of the topic.

Mechanics

No errors in grammar or mechanics. Shows evidence of revision.

Few errors in grammar or spelling. Shows evidence of revision.

Many errors in grammar or spelling. Shows little evidence of revision.

Many errors in grammar or spelling. Shows no evidence of revision.

Errors significantly impact the readability of the piece.

 

 

Cold War Smartboard Presentation Rubric

You and your partner will be graded together.  You will be graded on your Smartboard slides (60%) and your verbal presentation (40%).   The slideshow should be no fewer than 7 slides .  The presentation will count as two homework grades.    Pictures, graphics and at least one quote must be included.   Keep in mind the basic WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY as you develop your presentation.  Don't include too much information in your slides.  Keep it simple and use important information that forces us to think.  (6 point rule)   Do a great job and teach us about your event.  

 

VERBAL PRESENTATION (40 points)

 

____  approximately 90 seconds in length, = speaking roles (10 points)

 

____  frequent eye contact with audience (we don't want to look at your back or listen to you read)  (10 points)

 

____  presentation is interesting and includes detailed factual information (20 points)

 

7 SmartBoard Slides  (60 points)

 

 

____ Title Slide 1 - your names, topic and cool graphic   (WHO SLIDE) (10 points)

 

____ Slide 2 – 3 Who What Where When and Why Slides (Factual slides with important information that helps us better understand your topic. )  20 points

 

___ Slides 3-5 –Additional primary sources - Pictures, graphics, and cartoons that help us understand your topic. Total of 4 primary sources must be included in your slides(10 points)

 

___ Slide 6  - Ending slide – Should include a thought provoking quote or question  that helps us better understand your topic.  This is also your closing slide.  Conclude your presentation with your opinions on the event or person you are   (10 points)

 

_____ 10 points will be awarded for the following:

*  Slides are spell checked and  grammatically correct.

            *  Slides contain historically accurate information. 

*  Students are respectful and good listeners during all presentations.  

 

 

CONCLUSION:

SWBAT: Identify major causes of the Cold War and US foreign policy goals during the Cold War.

SWBAT:  Research a Cold War event and evaluate how the event helped or hurt US goals

SWBAT:  Write a persuasive essay.

SWBAT: Develop and present a Smartboard slideshow

 

STANDARDS

Standard 1

History of the United States and New York

use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Standard 2

World History

use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.