National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Origins of the Cold War, 1945 1949
In this Curriculum Unit, young scholars will consider "The Origins of the Cold War, 1945-1949" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
U.s. Holocaust Memorial Museum: Einsatzgruppen and Other Ss and Police Units
Article about the use of the Einsatzgruppen by the Nazis, especially in the Soviet Union, to commit mass murder in their effort to defeat the Soviet Union in World War II.
The Cold War Museum
U 2 Incident
A brief, but clearly-stated, description of the downing of Francis Gary Powers' U-2 spy plane over the USSR during the Cold War. Powers survived the incident, and the USA claimed the spy plane was flying for weather purposes. Site...
The History Place
The History Place: Statistics of the Holocaust
This page from The History Place has a chart with the number of Jewish people killed in the Holocaust. Nearly 6 million Jewish people were murdered. This site is disturbing its apparent accuracy of the Jewish slaughter.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: The Origins of the Cold War
A lengthy lecture-format page with key points of the development and emergence of the Cold War. Includes many useful links within the content.
The History Place
The History Place:stalin's Forced Famine 1932 1933
Article examining the events surrounding the famine that Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union forced causing seven million deaths.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Totalitarianism
A detailed treatment on the practice of totalitarianism. The article provides a historical background and how it was a major force in 20th century European history (in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union).
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Totalitarianism: Stalin and Hitler
An account of the rise of totalitarianism with the despotic, brutal leadership of both Stalin and Hitler depicted.
AllRefer
All refer.com: East Germany: The Soviet Zone of Occupation
The origin of the Soviet Zone of Occupation in postwar Germany is discussed, including the planning stages at Yalta and Potsdam.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: East Germany: The Soviet Military Administration
This site describes how The Soviet Military Administration in Germany ran Eastern Germany after WWII. Describes disarmament, the Communist Party, and anti-Nazism. Site is brief but informative.
AllRefer
All refer.com: East Germany: Foundation of the People's Police
This site describes the origin and transformation of former Nazi soldiers into East German police. Attempts to explain why it was created and Joseph Stalin's intent to control Eastern Europe.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: East Germany: Socialist Unity Party of Germany
This is an informative site that describes the creation of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. This was essentially the communist party of Eastern Germany after WWII. Traces party history up through the 1980s.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Warsaw Pact
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives information on the Warsaw Pact, which the Eastern Bloc was formed under. Provides a concise history and role of the agreement. Links are also given for additional information.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Stalinism
A description of policies enacted in the Soviet Union prior to World War II by dictator Joseph Stalin.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Russia: Postwar Growth Period
This overview of Soviet economic policy after WWII looks at the command or planned economies and decisions of Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev.
AllRefer
All refer.com: East Germany: Dissent
Political dissent as practiced in East Germany is surveyed during the Cold War period.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Who Won the Space Race?
Jeff Steers describes the history and benefits of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. [4:47]
PBS
Pbs: Red Files: Secret Soviet Moon Mission
PBS offers biographies and stories from the early days of the Soviet Space program, which prompted the Space Race and nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.
PBS
Pbs: Red Flag
Read two eyewitness accounts of life under Stalin. They explain how Communism became "an all-consuming, all-explaining ideology that appealed to their deepest hopes and dreams."
George Washington University
National Security Administration: Cuban Missile Crisis
This is from the National Security Administration's Website. It has information on the operations involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Difficult for an Elementary student to understand, but a great resource for Elementary teachers.
Other
Space Research Institute: Phobos Mission
Images of Phobos, taken by the Soviet Phobos mission to Mars, prior to the loss of the spacecraft. Small images do not link to graphic files.
Other
Soviet Union: The Big Problems of Small Ethnic Groups
An interesting article on the special problems of small ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union. Ethnic groups in the northern part of Russia are focused on.
Other
Trussel: Crimes of the Stalin Era
This site from Trussel.com provides the text of the report to the 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party by Nikita Khrushchev February 25, 1956 condemning the "cult of personality" surrounding Stalin and condemning Stalin's policies...
Other
Matthew White: Map of the Collapse of the Soviet Union
A colorful map showing the states of the old Soviet Union and the dates they left the Union.