A&E Television
History.com: What Caused the Korean War and Why Did the Us Get Involved?
The Korean War (1950-1953) was the first military action of the Cold War. It was sparked by the June 25, 1950 invasion of South Korea by 75,000 members of the North Korean People's Army. The line they crossed, the 38th parallel, was...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1980 Present: Continuity and Change in the Postwar Era
How much did the events of the tumultuous postwar era reshape American national identity? Kim discusses the extent to which developments like the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, and student protests of the 1960s changed...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Truman: Foreign Affairs
This site gives a great overview of the early Cold War under President Truman. Describes relations with the Soviet Union, the atomic bomb, actions in western Europe, and the Korean War. A great piece that gives the reader a fantastic...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Huac and Hollywood
This video and support materials detail the Hollywood blacklist and House Un-American Activities Committee, chronicling the fear of Communism and resulting blacklist based on political ideology. The video is from the American Masters...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Huac: Backlash and Implications
These videos and support materials explore the intense division experienced by those who testified before and blacklisted by HUAC during the Cold War, focusing on the testimony of Elia Kazan. The videos are from American Masters None...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Truman Doctrine
This is a copy of a speech given in 1947 that describes US intent in stopping the spread of communism. It outlines threats to communist expansion into Greece and Turkey, and the US response to such a threat. This is a great primary...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Us Soviet Relations
The 1980s was a dynamic period in U.S.-Soviet relations. At the beginning of the decade, tensions between the two superpowers rose until 1985, when arms negotiations ensued between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Read about the tense 1962 standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union that nearly resulted in nuclear war.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Women in the 1950s
Looks at what life was like for women in 1950s America. Examines the tension between the expectations of conformity and domesticity and an emerging discontent as many women chose to continue working after World War II. Meanwhile, African...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: The Long Telegram
This primary source document reveals Russia's growing distrust of the United States and its desire to strengthen its position in the global community through greater military security.
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Truman Library: Telegram, George Kennan to George Marshall [Pdf]
See the "long telegram" sent by George Kennan to Secretary of State George Marshall in which he expressed his unflattering view of the USSR.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Red Scare
A quick comprehension check over the Red Scare.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: On American Intervention in Korea, 1950
The Modern History Sourcebook offers a very interesting primary source that presents the Soviet position of the beginning of the Korean War. A great resource for comparing US/USSR claims about the origins of the Korean War.
The History Place
The History Place: The Vietnam War America Commits
This site from The History Place provides a lengthy timeline, accented with many quotations, explaining how America came to be directly involved in Vietnam. This is a great site to check out on the subject.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Nato: The Us
Resource gives information about the United States and its role in the Stabilization Force following the ethnic war in former Yugoslavia.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Postwar Challenges
A brief survey of the beginning of the Cold War and the challenges that faced the United States in confronting communist totalitarianism.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Kennedy's Global Challenge
The Cold War was still being waged during John Kennedy's administration. Read about the challenges he faced in Europe, Latin America, and, most ominously, in Cuba.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: The War in the East, 1861 1865
A map showing the area of the American Civil War in the east, including the major battle sites of Bulls Run Creek, Manassas Junction, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: Period 9: 1980 Present: The Gulf War
Learn about how the United States led a UN coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraq in 1991.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: Period 9: 1980 Present: The Iran Contra Affair
Learn how Reagan's administration was embroiled in scandal when it came to light that the United States had sold weapons to Iran and funneled the money to Nicaraguan rebels.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Presidency of Ronald Reagan, Pt. 2: Foreign Policy
Under President Reagan, the Cold War began to thaw and trouble brewed in the Middle East. Learn about Reagan's foreign policy initiatives by perusing this summary, reading an excerpt from his "Evil Empire" speech, answering thought...
Digital History
Digital History: Years of Decision [Pdf]
This site is from a unit that covers the period from the Second World War up to the Cold War. It looks at relations between the United States and the Soviet Union and the thinking of their leaders. Students are asked to consider five...
CNN
Cnn: The Reagan Years: Inside the White House
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan Years", this site provides you with brief explanations of the US in 1980, the 1980 presidential election and assorted topics of Reagan's presidency including the assassination attempt, the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Cuban Missile Crisis
In October 1962, Americans "peered into the abyss of nuclear destruction". Investigate how America got this close to nuclear war by reading the following summary, answering critical thinking questions, using the bibliography for further...