Curated OER
Chapter 28: Red Flags and Velvet Revolutions: The End of the Cold War, 1960-1990
Set your historians up for testing success using this interactive flashcard tool. It is one of many learning strategies offered in this thorough online resource. Although designed for use with a text, the site is valuable independently....
Student Handouts
End to the Cold War
Introduce your class to topics relating to the Cold War through a brief reading selection. Class members read the passage and answer four questions, which are provided on the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
The Cold War And Beyond
High schoolers interview an adult that grew up in the United States during the Cold War to develop an understanding of the concept of mutually assured destruction. They focus the interview on how the person dealt with the threat of...
Curated OER
The Cold War Warrior Defending: The Moral Beacon of the World
Students identify President Reagan's domestic and foreign policy, describe America's attitude toward communism, list characteristics which endeared Reagan to the American people, and explain why some Americans spoke out against Reagan's...
Curated OER
Gorbachev Enters Software Piracy Argument
Students watch a news story about ex-President Gorbachev getting involved in a piracy case in Russia. After reading three statements about piracy, they choose the one that best fits their own views. In groups, they discuss each topic...
Federation of American Scientists
Fas: Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (Inf)
A comprehensive guide to the control of weapons of mass destruction highlighting the INF Treaty. Provides detailed provisions of the treaty, a timetable, and a copy of the actual text.
Other
Bucknell University: A Chronology of Russian History
An abridged timeline that details the history of Russia from 860 to present day.
BBC
Bbc: Russia: Fall and Rise in 25 Years
Steve Rosenberg looks back at the unpredictable events in Russia in 25 years since communism fell.
US National Archives
Docs Teach: President Reagan and the Cold War: Vision and Diplomacy
See how Ronald Reagan's rhetoric evolved from his speech calling the Soviet Union an "evil empire" to his signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by examining photographs and documents.
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: At Cold War's End: Us Intelligence on the Soviet Union, 1989 1991
The CIA offers a collection of declassified documents that are Adobe PDF files and can be downloaded regarding the Soviet Union and from US Intelligence in the years 1989-1991. Also contains an introduction and complete overview of this...
BBC
Bbc News: Soviet Union Timeline
A timeline covering the history of the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1991.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: 1989 the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Explains and details the events that led up to and followed the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Very thorough and detailed, including information about leaders, movements, and historical information.
US Department of State
U.s. Dept. Of State: Archive: Inf Treaty of 1987
Copy of the INF Treaty made by the US and the USSR in December of 1987.
InterKnowledge Corp.
The Soviet Era
Geographia presents a brief political and social history of Russia from the beginning of Soviet rule to the resignation of Gorbachev in 1990.
Other
The "Evil Empire" Speech, 8 March 1983
The full text of President Ronald Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech delivered in Orlando, Florida, which stated U.S. policy vis-a-vis the Soviet Union during its last years.
New York Times
New York Times: Times Machine: End of the Soviet Union
Images of the New York Times from December 26, 1991 depicting the fall of the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.
Other
On This Day: Ethnic Problems in the Soviet Union
A good article on how the ethnic problems in the Soviet Union developed, and the individual republics' demand for independence.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Biographical account of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, reformer of the Soviet Union. Includes information regarding Gorbachev's ascension to power with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and his role in reducing the Cold War...
Other
History Orb: The Soviet Conservative Coup
A background article on the coup undertaken by the Soviet conservatives in 1991. Contains nice details, that gives it a "You are there" feeling.
The Cold War Museum
The Cold War Museum: Fall of the Soviet Union
The Cold War Museum offers many resources on the Cold War, including this particular article on the "Fall of the Soviet Union."
Digital History
Digital History: Collapse of Communism
Overview of the collapse of communism at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s ushered in by Mikhail Gorbachev and his reforms.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Evil Empire
Brief article on the "Evil Empire," a term used by Ronald Reagan to describe the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Other
Temperament in Revolution Gorbachev
An excellent article about Gorbachev's appointment, goals, accomplishments, and personality.