Annenberg Foundation
Postwar Tension and Triumph
Go get the American Dream lifestyle! The 19th lesson in a 22-part series exploring American history shows learners the post-WWII economic boom. Using primary sources, photographs, and cartoons, groups discuss their findings and present...
Curated OER
The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Lesson in Decision Making
In this American History worksheet, 11th graders analyze different scenarios and create possible solutions.
Curated OER
National Security
Young scholars discuss the Rosenberg spy case during the Cold War. They research and report on a recent or current investigation into espionage by people working for the U.S. government. Students find out what they can from newspapers,...
Curated OER
Debating the Bomb
Students research how the development of the atomic bomb affected people in World War II, participate in a debate about the bomb's use, and investigate how it has affected people's lives since 1945.
Curated OER
The Berlin Wall
Middle schoolers enter the classroom and observe a wall that is set up with desks, bookshelves, or anything else available. to create a barrier that they cannot cross during the class. The class then is divided into East and West Berlin...
Social Studies School Service
DVD Lesson Plan: Thirteen Days
Here you'll find a fine teacher reference for presenting the film Thirteen Days, a dramatic interpretation of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Kennedy administration. It includes a brief description of the film, learning...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Understanding the Koreas
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based instructional activity is unlikely to engage the class. The...
Curated OER
National Security; The Rosenbergs, Espionage
Students research the history of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg as a lens through which to consider that cases involving a breach of national security tend to be very complicated. They reflect that problems with national security have...
Curated OER
US Government: Foreign Policy (Part 1)
Students explore foreign policy. In this foreign policy lesson plan, students define terms regarding foreign policy. Students respond to questions regarding textbook readings and a lecture regarding U.S. foreign policy.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Putin's Historic Visit to Israel
In this English worksheet, students read "Putin's Historic Visit to Israel," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Other
Nuclearfiles.org: 20 Mishaps and Possible Nuclear War
Read summaries of 20 accidents that moved the United States and USSR dangerously close to "mutually assured destruction" and nuclear war during the Cold War. A chilling reminder of the constant threat faced by all during that period of...
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.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: News Flash: The End of the Cold War
This lesson is an inquiry into events that occurred during the Cold War era. It is a technology-based project on one event that occurred during the Cold War(1945-1991). The Cold War describes the tense and hostile relationship between...
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Race for the Superbomb
This site explores the Cold War race to develop the hydrogen bomb, a weapon that would change the world. Content details all the people who were involved in the race for the H-Bomb, as well as notable events during this time period....
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Postwar Tension and Triumph
Comprehensive teaching unit on tensions of the Cold War era: conflicts between domestic prosperity and unfulfilled expectations, ideals of conformity and individualism. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student...
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...
Other
American Institute of Physics: Soviet Physics, Nuclear Weapons, and Human Rights
A resource with extensive information on all aspects of Sakharov's life. Arranged chronologically.
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.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Mutual Assured Destruction
A complete description of the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction. Explains what the concept means, and how the concept was used during the Cold War and up to the George W. Bush Administration. Includes links to terms that may require...
New York Times
New York Times: Nuclear Collision Course
An interactive slide show that discusses the growing escalation in tensions between North Korea and the rest of the world. Gives video, audio, and images about the greatest nuclear threat to the world since the end of the Cold War. (17...
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.
Federation of American Scientists
Fas: National Security Policy Arms Control Disarmament
A lengthy essay describing the negotiations and politics involved in President Kennedy's quest to create a permanent ban on nuclear tests.
Ohio State University
Opper Project: Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach History (Lesson Plans)
Two dozen lessons that focus on using political cartoons as primary source resources for teaching American history. Lessons cover a range of topics in U.S. history from the Civil War era forward and are linked to Ohio content standards.
Ohio State University
Opper Project: Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach History (Lesson Plans)
Two dozen lessons that focus on using political cartoons as primary source resources for teaching American history. Lessons cover a range of topics in U.S. history from the Civil War era forward and are linked to Ohio content standards.