Curated OER
NATO Geography & Language
The class receives background information on NATO, an atlas, and a blank world map. They color the original 1949 countries in red, the 1952 additions in green, and the 1990 additions in blue. This exercise would be a good starting point...
Curated OER
* Educators * Lesson Plans The Importance of Speaking Another Language
Young scholars examine the importance of speaking more than one language. They read and discuss an account written by a Peace Corps teacher in Ukraine, answer discussion questions, and discuss why English is taught in Ukraine.
Curated OER
The Extra Place Lesson
Students take up the challenge of deciding what to do when confronted by a difficult and awkward situation. They read the story and highlight sentences or phrases that have particular meaning to them and think about and discuss a...
Curated OER
Chapters 30 (sections 1 & 5) – The Cold War
In this U.S. history learning exercise, students read assigned textbook pages on different topics associated with the Cold War and respond to 50 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Looking Back
Students work together to research the history of Macedonia. As a class, they compare and contrast a free market economy with a state-controlled economy. In groups, they read a letter by a Peace Corp volunteer and compare it to their...
Curated OER
Chapter 21 - The Cold War to 1960
In this U.S. history learning exercise, students read assigned textbook pages regarding the Cold War 1950's America and respond to 50 short answer questions.
Curated OER
The Cold War
Tenth graders explore the origins of the Cold War. In this Cold War lesson plan, 10th graders analyze selected songs and identify what historical events they reference. Students create a musical collage or timeline for the period since...
Curated OER
Christiane Amanpour
In this Christiane Amanpour activity, students read about the life of the news reporter, then complete a variety of comprehension activities. An answer key is included.
Curated OER
World War II
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 21 matching questions regarding World War II. Students may check their answers immediately
Curated OER
Should Britain Leave the EU?
Tenth graders analyze the reasons to why Great Britain wants to leave the European Union. In this European Union activity, 10th graders read an article and answer comprehension questions. Students participate in a debate on the European...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Life Under Communism in Eastern Europe
Activity based resource on political and economic systems, asks students to explore communism, capitalism, socialism and democracy and formulate informed opinions for discussion and debate. Group and individual work.
Marxists Internet Archive
Marxists Internet Archive: Communism
Taken directly from the writing of Marx, Engels and Lenin, this entry from the Marxists Internet Archive also includes explanation of the quotations. Very detailed, it will require some sophistication on the part of the reader. Gives an...
George Mason University
Chnm: Making the History of 1989
Excellent online resource that through the use of primary sources and scholar interviews, focuses on the historical events of 1989 that deal with the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. Great teacher resource with lesson plans...
BBC
Bbc: 1989: Czech Police Crush Protest Rally
The people of Czechoslovakia reached a boiling point in 1989 with citizens clamoring for political economic, and social reforms. This article by the BBC portrays how demonstrations for such reforms ended with tragedy when the police...
PBS
Commanding Heights
This timeline of East Germany from 1945 to 1990 chronicles key events from communist domination to political and economic freedom with the end of the Cold War and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.
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: Nicolae Ceausescu
A lengthy biography of the life of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Chronicles his early life, rise to power, political and economic powers, and ultimate demise. Ceausescu is a good person to study to learn about the end of communism...
Other
Central Europe Review: Elena Ceausescu
This site contains information on the legacy of Elena Ceausescu. It details her life as the wife of the Romanian dictator and the legacy she left behind. (Published 8 July 1999)
BBC
Bbc: News: Collapse of the Ussr 10 Years On
Extensive information about the collapse of the USSR. Includes an interactive timeline from 1985 through 1991, an interactive map of the countries of the USSR with country profiles and timelines, eyewitness accounts of the collapse of...
University of Glasgow
Czech Literature and the Reading Public
A transcription of a lecture given at the University of Glasgow about literature and the availability of it in Czechoslovakia during the Communist reign. It briefly mentions specific authors and the scarcity of publishing houses.
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.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Cold War Erupts
World War II ended in 1945 and the Cold War began immediately. Read about the mistrust Western Europe and the United States felt towards the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin. Learn how the Soviets expanded their realm of influence and...
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...
Sam Houston State University
Shsu: The Warsaw Pact
Contains a wealth of information about the Warsaw Pact. Includes information about the Soviet Alliance System, the organization of East European National units, the development of Socialist Armies in Eastern Europe, East-West diplomacy...