Overcoming Obstacles
Listening Responsibly
Responsible speaker + critical listener = effective communication is the equation at the heart of a responsible listening instructional activity about the power of words. Class members view the clip of the courtroom scene from the film A...
DocsTeach
Cultural Diplomacy and the Smith-Mundt Act
During the Cold War, the United States used everything from bookmobiles to radio stations to improve its image globally. Using documents from the programs, including photographs and official memos, individuals consider how the United...
DocsTeach
Cultural Diplomacy and Propaganda During the Cold War
There's a fine line between diplomacy and propaganda. Young historians consider that boundary by examining documents from the Cold War, including memorandum about the lunar program and Peace Corps in addition to a propaganda film. Using...
DocsTeach
President Reagan and the Cold War: Vision and Diplomacy
After years of boiling tension, the presidency of Ronald Regan and the rise of Mikhail Gorbechev paved a new way forward for diplomacy between the United States and the Soviet Union. Using primary source documents, including letters...
DocsTeach
Nixon Visits China: The Week that Changed the World
Sometimes one trip shakes up the entire world. When President Richard Nixon traveled to China, he defied international and political boundaries. Nixon was the first American president to visit mainland China, which was a communist nation...
DocsTeach
Around the World with First Lady Pat Nixon
Travel the world with the First Lady! Academics study images from Pat Nixon's travels as First Lady to discover her role in Richard Nixon's presidency. Historians match images to world locations, complete a worksheet, and participate in...
United Nations
The UN: Working for Us All
The United Nation's role in world diplomacy is critical, but its enforcement is limited. Using activities such as role plays and simulations, classmates consider the role the UN plays in world peace keeping. The unit plan includes five...
University of Richmond
The Executive Abroad 1905-2016
While the president often appears to jet around the world on diplomatic missions, having the commander in chief travel abroad is a modern phenomenon, starting in the 20th century. Using a graphic, learners explore which presidents...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793–1796
After the Revolutionary War, the success of the United States was far from guaranteed. Foreign powers coveted the new land, and Great Britain challenged American sovereignty. Learners consider the challenges facing the new nation using...
National Park Service
A Peace Park
Piece together American and Canadian culture by learning about peace parks! Scholars discuss differences between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park as a group. The newly-informed pupils answers questions about this...
National Park Service
A Natural Resource Called Peace
Get your pupils outside and teach them about peace at the same time! Scholars create a list describing peace, hike outside, add to that list, and later create poems. The exercises support differentiation for your individual classes as...
US Department of State
The Marshall Plan: The Vision of a Family of Nations
The European Recovery Act (aka the Marshall Plan) was designed to bring together and develop a spirit of cooperation among European nations after World War II. Class members examine the materials from the Marshall Plan exhibit and assess...
Curated OER
Document-Based Essay on U.S. Reaction to North Korean Nuclear Policy
Students compose essays on nuclear policies. In this North Korea instructional activity, students examine political cartoons and primary documents regarding nuclear build-up by North Korea. Students write essays about North Korea's...
Curated OER
The Role Of NATO
Students examine the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this NATO instructional activity, students research the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, and the Berlin airlift...
Curated OER
Failed Diplomacy: The Zimmerman Telegram
Seventh graders continue their examination of World War I. In groups, they read a copy of the famous Zimmerman telegram and discuss its effect on Americans. To end the lesson, they discuss how public opinion changed after it became...
Curated OER
Causes of World War I
Ninth graders identify and explain the six major causes of World War I. They explore the events leading up to WWI, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and why they were the culmination of everything. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
Diplomatic Relations
Students discuss the Phillipines and its political history with the United States. Then, after careful examination of a 2004 hostage situation in Iraq, they write papers analyzing the decision made by then Filipino President Gloria...
Curated OER
Nation Building
High schoolers explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson plan, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. High schoolers share their...
Curated OER
U.S. Expansion and the Age of the Empire
In this geography skills worksheet, students define or identify the 4 terms and concepts related to Teddy Roosevelt's diplomacy. Students also respond to 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
U.S.-Cuba Relations
Students study the history of United State/Cuba relations. In this diplomacy lesson, students research selected websites to gather information regarding various topics of significance between the U.S. and Cuba since 1868. Students...
Curated OER
Cuban Missile Crisis in Thirteen Days
Eleventh graders explore the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis lesson plan, 11th graders take notes from a PowerPoint presentation regarding the topic and then watch the film "Thirteen Days". Students participate in...
Curated OER
War and International Law:America’s Foreign Policy: A Brief History
Pupils discover the history of American foreign policy. In this foreign policy lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture that presents a brief history of American foreign policy. Pupils respond to discussion questions...
Curated OER
US Government: Foreign Policy
Students examine American foreign policy. In this diplomacy lesson, students research Internet sources to identify and describe foreign policy events that have shaped the United States and examine the role of the United Nations.
Curated OER
US Government: Foreign Policy
Students explore the basic precepts of American foreign policy. In this diplomacy lesson, students read textbook chapters regarding American foreign policy practices before and after World War II. Students also watch a filmstrip...