PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Joseph Stalin, (1879 1953)
Biographical sketch of Joseph Stalin and his tyrannical, brutal reign of the Soviet Union during WWII until his death in 1953.
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.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Russia: Declining Health Care in the 70s and 80s
A great article depicting the declining standard of living in the Soviet Union. Research showed rising infant mortality, falling life expectancy, among other grim statistics painting a bad picture of state of health in the Soviet Union....
PBS
Pbs: Int. With Nina Mihailovna Motova, Factory Worker
You've learned about the fall of the USSR in history books, but what did it mean to a common citizen? Read the interview with Motova, a ballbearing factory worker in Russia, for insight on her thoughts.
Other
Diefenbunker Virtual Tour
For those that are unable to tour the Diefenbunker on a field trip, these pictures are a good substitute. Students can get an idea of what the interior is really like.
Other
The German Invasion of the Soviet Union
Summarizes events that occurred during the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
Other
The Origins of the Korean War: From the Soviet Archives
Three conclusions brought on by newly unclassified documents from the Soviet archives. Offers new interpretations on the beginning of the Korean War, including Stalin's opposition to war.
Other
Industry and the Five Year Plans
This site describes the industrialization plans implemented by Stalin. Examines the success and failures of each and how they were achieved. Information is laid out so that it is easy to access and understand.
Other
Temperament in Revolution Gorbachev
An excellent article about Gorbachev's appointment, goals, accomplishments, and personality.
PBS
Pbs: Splitting the Atom
This site offers a brief history of the discovery and application of atomic and nuclear energy - both military and peaceful. It follows the spread of nuclear development among the major world players of the 20th century. Great site for...
Other
Newseum: Photographs Can Lie
Exhibition of doctored photographs from the Stalin era titled "The Commissar Vanishes."
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Arms Race
Kids learn about the history of the Arms Race during the Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union building nuclear weapons stockpiles.
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Soviet Afghanistan War
Kids learn about the history of the Soviet Afghanistan War during the Cold War. A hard fought war with no winner.
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Space Race
Kids learn the history of the Space Race during the Cold War. A race between the United States and the Soviet Union to put a man on the Moon.
Other
Economic Reasons for the Collapse of the Soviet Union
This complicated essay describes the fall of the Soviet Union in economic terms, with an emphasis on the lack of production.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Perestroika Defined (1987)
Perestroika, as defined by Mikhail Gorbachev. This excerpt includes the many definitions and applications of the concept of perestroika when used to describe the internal reforms of the Soviet Union that occurred during the 1980s.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Stalin and the Cult of Personality
Two lectures that provide a perspective on the Soviet people's fixation and emotional bond to Stalin and the intellectual repression he enforced to bring that about.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: John Foster Dulles
Provides the text to the address given by U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles before the Associated Press on April 22, 1957.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Soviet Reaction to Pact
This site from the Fordham University provides a great alternative perspective of the Baghdad Pact and the Central Treaty Organization. This is a statement given by the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Security in the Near and Middle...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: Events Leading to Blockade of West Berlin
Details on how the Marshall Plan was the major event that led to the blockade of West Berlin by the Soviets.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography: Joseph Stalin for Kids
A website containing the biography of Joseph Stalin who was the leader of the communist Soviet Union during World War II and beyond.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Glasnost
Learn about the policy of Glasnost that was used by Mikhail Gorbachev to bring reforms to the Soviet Union.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Iron Curtain
Learn about the "Iron Curtain" that separated the West with the communist countries of the East.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Collapse of the Soviet Union for Kids
History Questions: Collapse of the Soviet Union Quiz, Test, and WebQuest