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Lesson Plan

Guatemalan Coup of 1954: How Did the Cold War Influence American Foreign Policy Decisions?

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This Guatemalan Coup of 1954: How Did the Cold War Influence American Foreign Policy Decisions? lesson plan also includes:

Was it all about the bananas—or the fear of a communist threat? Young historians use a history lab to examine documents from the American-led 1954 Guatemalan coup. Using graphics, government documents, and speeches, they examine the various motives of the American government to interfere in the government of an independent country. Assessment options include applying their understanding to interpret a painting about the moment and to respond to a formal writing prompt. 

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CCSS: Designed
Concepts
guatemala, the cold war, communism, foreign policy, united states foreign policy, capitalism, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources, central america, the red scare, the 1950s
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Instructional Ideas
  • Offer the resource as a case study of Cold War politics 
  • Use to assess learner application of American foreign policy during the 1950s
Classroom Considerations
  • Class members need background knowledge of the Cold War 
Pros
  • Assessments offer options, including a deeper dive on visual literacy
  • Resource profiles a moment in history that often gets short-changed in classes
Cons
  • None