Unit 4: Origins of the Cold War 1945-1962
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/5/1205703/8008382.png)
1953 World Map of Alignments
Cold War Timeline link here
A borrowed PPT presentation on the Cold War (an overview) for background, click here
Cold War Timeline link here
A borrowed PPT presentation on the Cold War (an overview) for background, click here
Unit Calendar:
Day 1:
Objective -- Students will be able to evaluate their Mid-Term Exams to identify what areas
they must review to earn the IB History HL Certificate and Diploma
What we did today -- Students received their Mid-Term Exams back and discussed
what questions they answered incorrectly; Discussed specific
information that was necessary to receive full marks for
Document Analyses (Paper 1); Reviewed specific requirements
for improving Paper 2 answers
For HW -- 1. Interpret Paper 2 Markbands into your own words (see example here)
2. Analyze your Paper 2 answer from the Mid-Term and offer three specific
areas for improvement
Both parts must be typed!!!
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to understand Historical Consciousness
What we did today -- Why is the peace resulting from WWII considered the roots of
the Cold War?
Re-evaluated the Stages of Historical Consciousness
For HW -- Complete the chart on Key WWII Conferences
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the events that occurred during WWII that
started the old War
What we did today -- Could the Cold War have been avoided had we used atomic
weapons against the USSR before they developed them?
Lecture: Origins of the Cold War, Part I
For HW -- Introduction: Meeting on the Elbe (reading & guided notes)
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the part played by economics in the
development of the Cold War
What we did today -- What could’ve been done differently at Yalta and Potsdam to
avoid the Cold War?
Lecture: Origins of the Cold War, Part II
Make two columns on your paper. On the left, write events that
dealt with economics and the development of the Cold War. On
the right, explain how the economics of that event triggered the
Cold War
For HW -- READ pp 65-73 (documents 21 & 22) in the Cold War documents book;
ANSWER all discussion questions
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to describe the causes and results of the Korean War
What we did today -- Is history driven more by socio-economic factors or by
individuals and regimes?
Go over political cartoons
Lecture: The Cold War - Korean War
For HW -- Truman's Successes & Failures
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the reason why the "thaw" ended in the late
1950s
What we did today -- What key event would you choose in attempting to explain the
origin of the Cold War? Why might others select differently from
you?
Lecture: The Cold War - 1950s
Eisenhower's Successes & Failures
Analyze political cartoons on the Berlin Blockade & Cuban
Missile Crisis
For HW -- The Cuban Missile Crisis Epilogue (reading & guided notes)
Day 7:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain how and why Germany was the center of Cold
War tension from 1945-1961
What we did today -- In what ways can our culture impact our interpretation of
historical events?
Lecture: The Cold War - Bay of Pigs to the Cuban Missile Crisis
In groups, play Critical Decisions of JFK Game
Kennedy's Successes & Failures
For HW -- Write a one page essay (12 pt font, double-spaced, 1" margins) answering:
Who was responsible for the development of the Cold War?
Day 8:
Objective -- Students will be able to recall the origins of the Cold War and other important
developments in the Cold War up until the early 1960s
What we did today -- Can you identify any events in the Cold War where there was an
element of “chance” in the factors that caused them? How
useful is the consideration of “accidental” causation to a
historian?
Window Pane Activity:
Each group gets a cause of the Cold War to draw.
Then, each group post their pictures on the wall and explains
them.
Next, each student draws the cause as closely as possible to
the original. The fastest and closest to the original wins.
For HW -- Unit 5 Study Guide
Day 9:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the Origins of the Cold War
Exam
What we did today -- Took the Unit 5 Test
For HW -- Paper 1 on Vietnam
Objective -- Students will be able to evaluate their Mid-Term Exams to identify what areas
they must review to earn the IB History HL Certificate and Diploma
What we did today -- Students received their Mid-Term Exams back and discussed
what questions they answered incorrectly; Discussed specific
information that was necessary to receive full marks for
Document Analyses (Paper 1); Reviewed specific requirements
for improving Paper 2 answers
For HW -- 1. Interpret Paper 2 Markbands into your own words (see example here)
2. Analyze your Paper 2 answer from the Mid-Term and offer three specific
areas for improvement
Both parts must be typed!!!
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to understand Historical Consciousness
What we did today -- Why is the peace resulting from WWII considered the roots of
the Cold War?
Re-evaluated the Stages of Historical Consciousness
For HW -- Complete the chart on Key WWII Conferences
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the events that occurred during WWII that
started the old War
What we did today -- Could the Cold War have been avoided had we used atomic
weapons against the USSR before they developed them?
Lecture: Origins of the Cold War, Part I
For HW -- Introduction: Meeting on the Elbe (reading & guided notes)
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the part played by economics in the
development of the Cold War
What we did today -- What could’ve been done differently at Yalta and Potsdam to
avoid the Cold War?
Lecture: Origins of the Cold War, Part II
Make two columns on your paper. On the left, write events that
dealt with economics and the development of the Cold War. On
the right, explain how the economics of that event triggered the
Cold War
For HW -- READ pp 65-73 (documents 21 & 22) in the Cold War documents book;
ANSWER all discussion questions
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to describe the causes and results of the Korean War
What we did today -- Is history driven more by socio-economic factors or by
individuals and regimes?
Go over political cartoons
Lecture: The Cold War - Korean War
For HW -- Truman's Successes & Failures
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the reason why the "thaw" ended in the late
1950s
What we did today -- What key event would you choose in attempting to explain the
origin of the Cold War? Why might others select differently from
you?
Lecture: The Cold War - 1950s
Eisenhower's Successes & Failures
Analyze political cartoons on the Berlin Blockade & Cuban
Missile Crisis
For HW -- The Cuban Missile Crisis Epilogue (reading & guided notes)
Day 7:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain how and why Germany was the center of Cold
War tension from 1945-1961
What we did today -- In what ways can our culture impact our interpretation of
historical events?
Lecture: The Cold War - Bay of Pigs to the Cuban Missile Crisis
In groups, play Critical Decisions of JFK Game
Kennedy's Successes & Failures
For HW -- Write a one page essay (12 pt font, double-spaced, 1" margins) answering:
Who was responsible for the development of the Cold War?
Day 8:
Objective -- Students will be able to recall the origins of the Cold War and other important
developments in the Cold War up until the early 1960s
What we did today -- Can you identify any events in the Cold War where there was an
element of “chance” in the factors that caused them? How
useful is the consideration of “accidental” causation to a
historian?
Window Pane Activity:
Each group gets a cause of the Cold War to draw.
Then, each group post their pictures on the wall and explains
them.
Next, each student draws the cause as closely as possible to
the original. The fastest and closest to the original wins.
For HW -- Unit 5 Study Guide
Day 9:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the Origins of the Cold War
Exam
What we did today -- Took the Unit 5 Test
For HW -- Paper 1 on Vietnam
Mock Exams
History HL Mock Exams are generally scheduled for March. Students should expect a timed exam covering a Paper 2 question )generally on the Origins of the Cold War). The Mock Exams can coincide w the end of the above unit; if so, then students should also expect to complete a Map portion as well (Middle East map).
Unit 5: The Vietnam War
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/5/1205703/1101978.jpg)
Make love, not war ...
Unit Calendar:
Day 1:
Objective -- Students will be able to evaluate the effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the
Cold War
What we did today -- Whose fault was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 1
(completed the movie, Thirteen Days)
For HW -- READ Choices Vietnam, Part 1 and COMPLETE Study Guide Part 1 &
Advanced Study Guide Part 1
Label SE Asia Map
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to determine the causes of the Vietnam War
What we did today -- For what reasons did the United States become involved in
Vietnam?
Gallery Walk
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 2
For HW -- Answer in a complete paragraph: How is the Vietnam War policy determined
by images seen in the media? (link to site: In Pictures, The Vietnam War)
READ Choices Vietnam, Part 2 and COMPLETE Study Guide Part 2 &
Advanced Study Guide Part 2
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to analyze the statements "The outcome of the Vietnam
War was determined not on the battlefield, but on the television screen" and
"Vietnam and Watergate destroyed the reputations of various US
Presidents the 1960s and 1970s."
What we did today -- Why did images of the Vietnam War seem to have more
credibility and impact on the American public's view of the war
than what they were told was going on by the US military and
US government?
Dicussion starter: "Lies My Teacher Told Me about the Vietnam War"
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 3
For HW -- Successes & Failures of Lyndon B Johnson
Create an outline to answer one of the above statements
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to analyze the effects of the Vietnam War on the United
States
What we did today -- If the media wasn't present in Vietnam, do you think the war
would've turned out differently?
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 4
For HW -- Create an outline to analyze the statement "Compare and contrast the foreign
policy toward Vietnam of two United States Presidents between 1945-1969."
(link to site: The Living Room Candidate)
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the causes and effects of the Vietnam War, as
well as the significance of Sino-Soviet and Sino-American relations
What we did today -- How much impact does culture have on political ideology? Can
this explain the differing interpretations of Marxist-Leninism
between China and the USSR?
Thinking Map Review Activity
Reviewed outlines; discussed "Could We Have Won the War?"
Lectures: The Cold War & China, Parts 1 & 2
Review Questions
For HW -- Unit 5 Study Guide
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of Unit 6 material
What we did today -- Took the Unit 6 Test
For HW -- READ Arms race, proliferation and limitation: the role of detente in the Cold War
Objective -- Students will be able to evaluate the effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the
Cold War
What we did today -- Whose fault was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 1
(completed the movie, Thirteen Days)
For HW -- READ Choices Vietnam, Part 1 and COMPLETE Study Guide Part 1 &
Advanced Study Guide Part 1
Label SE Asia Map
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to determine the causes of the Vietnam War
What we did today -- For what reasons did the United States become involved in
Vietnam?
Gallery Walk
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 2
For HW -- Answer in a complete paragraph: How is the Vietnam War policy determined
by images seen in the media? (link to site: In Pictures, The Vietnam War)
READ Choices Vietnam, Part 2 and COMPLETE Study Guide Part 2 &
Advanced Study Guide Part 2
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to analyze the statements "The outcome of the Vietnam
War was determined not on the battlefield, but on the television screen" and
"Vietnam and Watergate destroyed the reputations of various US
Presidents the 1960s and 1970s."
What we did today -- Why did images of the Vietnam War seem to have more
credibility and impact on the American public's view of the war
than what they were told was going on by the US military and
US government?
Dicussion starter: "Lies My Teacher Told Me about the Vietnam War"
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 3
For HW -- Successes & Failures of Lyndon B Johnson
Create an outline to answer one of the above statements
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to analyze the effects of the Vietnam War on the United
States
What we did today -- If the media wasn't present in Vietnam, do you think the war
would've turned out differently?
Lecture: Vietnam War Part 4
For HW -- Create an outline to analyze the statement "Compare and contrast the foreign
policy toward Vietnam of two United States Presidents between 1945-1969."
(link to site: The Living Room Candidate)
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the causes and effects of the Vietnam War, as
well as the significance of Sino-Soviet and Sino-American relations
What we did today -- How much impact does culture have on political ideology? Can
this explain the differing interpretations of Marxist-Leninism
between China and the USSR?
Thinking Map Review Activity
Reviewed outlines; discussed "Could We Have Won the War?"
Lectures: The Cold War & China, Parts 1 & 2
Review Questions
For HW -- Unit 5 Study Guide
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of Unit 6 material
What we did today -- Took the Unit 6 Test
For HW -- READ Arms race, proliferation and limitation: the role of detente in the Cold War
Unit 6: The End of the Cold War (1976-1991)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/5/1205703/3413648.jpg)
Old pals having lunch and discussions by the fire ...
Unit Calendar:
Day 1:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain why the Cold War got colder in the late 1970s
and early 1980s
What we did today -- Why do you think the Cold War didn't turn into WW3?
End of the Cold War Quiz (based on your reading!)
Lecture: Detente
For HW -- Nixon & Detente Paper 1
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess how the policies of Ronald Reagan and
Mikhail Gorbachev affected the Cold War
What we did today -- Was the Soviet Union really a threat to the US during the Cold War?
Obama and Nuclear Weapons
Lecture: The Cold War, End of Detente to SDI (notes here)
For HW -- READ China and the superpowers AND the End of the Cold War
Evaluate this famous photograph of a young pro-democracy demonstrator
from the 1989 Tiananmen Square Incident & this political cartoon published
later that month in the British daily The Independent. The Chinese
government had ordered these pro-democracy demonstrators to be cleared
by the People's Liberation Army; they are denying any casualties from the
Incident. Answer the following:
What do you think happened to this young demonstrator in the photograph?
What message is, then, the cartoonist trying to convey?
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess why the Middle East was important in the Cold War
What we did today -- Evaluate the successes and failures of the nuclear disarmament
process by the end of the 1970s
DISCUSSION: What are the issues of importance in the Middle
East today?
Iran hostage crisis campaign commercial
LECTURE: The Cold War: The Middle East
Compare and contrast the Afghan War to the Vietnam War
Tree Map -- Middle East side
For HW -- READ U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America (1898-1945)
and COMPLETE the Cold War Leadership Timeline Activity
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess the statement "Although it began in Europe,
the spread of the Cold War to other regions was a much more
dangerous development."
What we did today -- In what ways, and for what reasons, was the Middle East
important in the Cold War?
We Didn't Start the Fire, by Billy Joel
Lecture: The Cold War in the Western Hemisphere
Canada & the Caribbean
Central & South America
Tree Map -- Western Hemisphere side
For HW -- READ and QUESTIONS Nature of the Cold War
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain how and why the Cold War ended
What we did today -- At the end of the Cold War, Soviet archives were opened up to
historians. To what extent could historians in the 1990s
evaluate the "truth" about the Soviet Union during the Cold War
more deeply than their predecessors?
Successes and failures of Reagan
Lecture: The End of the Cold War, part I
For HW -- What do you think is the meaning of this cartoon?
Click here to see a student's answer
Click here to see the examiners comments on the student answer
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess the importance of economic issues in ending
the Cold War
What we did today -- Did the US win the Cold War?
Spectrum -- use post-it notes to place your opinion of DRILL
Lecture: The End of the Cold War, part II
CNN Video: The Wall Comes Down
For HW -- Unit 6 Study Guide
Day 7:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of Unit 6 material
What we did today -- Took the Unit 6 Test
For HW -- None
Link to the Wiki page on "Tank Man"
Click here for Policies of Cold War Administrations
Click here for Policies of Cold War Kremlins
Objective -- Students will be able to explain why the Cold War got colder in the late 1970s
and early 1980s
What we did today -- Why do you think the Cold War didn't turn into WW3?
End of the Cold War Quiz (based on your reading!)
Lecture: Detente
For HW -- Nixon & Detente Paper 1
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess how the policies of Ronald Reagan and
Mikhail Gorbachev affected the Cold War
What we did today -- Was the Soviet Union really a threat to the US during the Cold War?
Obama and Nuclear Weapons
Lecture: The Cold War, End of Detente to SDI (notes here)
For HW -- READ China and the superpowers AND the End of the Cold War
Evaluate this famous photograph of a young pro-democracy demonstrator
from the 1989 Tiananmen Square Incident & this political cartoon published
later that month in the British daily The Independent. The Chinese
government had ordered these pro-democracy demonstrators to be cleared
by the People's Liberation Army; they are denying any casualties from the
Incident. Answer the following:
What do you think happened to this young demonstrator in the photograph?
What message is, then, the cartoonist trying to convey?
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess why the Middle East was important in the Cold War
What we did today -- Evaluate the successes and failures of the nuclear disarmament
process by the end of the 1970s
DISCUSSION: What are the issues of importance in the Middle
East today?
Iran hostage crisis campaign commercial
LECTURE: The Cold War: The Middle East
Compare and contrast the Afghan War to the Vietnam War
Tree Map -- Middle East side
For HW -- READ U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America (1898-1945)
and COMPLETE the Cold War Leadership Timeline Activity
Day 4:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess the statement "Although it began in Europe,
the spread of the Cold War to other regions was a much more
dangerous development."
What we did today -- In what ways, and for what reasons, was the Middle East
important in the Cold War?
We Didn't Start the Fire, by Billy Joel
Lecture: The Cold War in the Western Hemisphere
Canada & the Caribbean
Central & South America
Tree Map -- Western Hemisphere side
For HW -- READ and QUESTIONS Nature of the Cold War
Day 5:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain how and why the Cold War ended
What we did today -- At the end of the Cold War, Soviet archives were opened up to
historians. To what extent could historians in the 1990s
evaluate the "truth" about the Soviet Union during the Cold War
more deeply than their predecessors?
Successes and failures of Reagan
Lecture: The End of the Cold War, part I
For HW -- What do you think is the meaning of this cartoon?
Click here to see a student's answer
Click here to see the examiners comments on the student answer
Day 6:
Objective -- Students will be able to assess the importance of economic issues in ending
the Cold War
What we did today -- Did the US win the Cold War?
Spectrum -- use post-it notes to place your opinion of DRILL
Lecture: The End of the Cold War, part II
CNN Video: The Wall Comes Down
For HW -- Unit 6 Study Guide
Day 7:
Objective -- Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of Unit 6 material
What we did today -- Took the Unit 6 Test
For HW -- None
Link to the Wiki page on "Tank Man"
Click here for Policies of Cold War Administrations
Click here for Policies of Cold War Kremlins
REVIEW !!! REVIEW !!! REVIEW !!! REVIEW
Don't panic just yet -- it's time to review!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/5/1205703/9613524.gif)
Your IB History HL teachers will be conducting joint review sessions of all essential content in preparation for the External Exams. We will be conducting at least two after-school sessions in April, and hopefully will be able to provide some in-class HoA reviews during your 20th C class periods.
Hints for Paper 1
Hints for Paper 2 & 3
External Exams Review
Day 1:
Objective -- Students will be able to answer Paper 3 questions of the Articles of
Confederation and the Constitution
What we did today -- What are the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Lecture: Founding Documents (past Paper 3 Qs)
READ Wilson's Theories of Governance, DEFINE the
characteristics of the four theories outlined, and make a
TREE MAP describing each of the theories discussed on the
back of the paper
APPLY the four theories to identify which theory corresponds to
which situation (document)
For a great review on the Constitutional Convention and the Constitution, visit
The US Constitution Online website & answer these Qs
For HW -- REVIEW past Paper 2 Qs and identify 1) which questions you remember how
to answer; and 2) which questions you need refreshers on how to 'attack'
Day 2:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the causes of the Great Depression
What we did today -- What are the causes of the Great Depression?
Lecture: Great Depression, Part 1
For HW -- READ this USA Today article on the current economic crisis; REVIEW this
ppt presentation on the Great Depression, Part 2; COMPLETE this worksheet
Click here for the HoA Great Depression review
Day 3:
Objective -- Students will be able to explain the causes of the Mexican Revolution
What we did today -- Name anything you know about the Mexican Revolution (when?
who? why? goals? etc)
Lecture: Causes of the Mexican Revolution
For HW -- REVIEW hints for Paper 1 and Paper 3 Qs and PLAN what kinds of questions
you will attack on these Papers 1 & 3!