Lee+Rocha's+Resource+File+-+The+Cold+War

The following is my resource file for my unit plan on The Cold War. This unit is intended for 11th grade students that are taking U.S. History. The Cold War represents an unprecedented period in history in which war capabilities and technology had reached a point of cataclysmic proportions. Under the constant threat of nuclear attack, the United States and Soviet Union entered a tense period of ideological competition and perpetual fear. As this era spans nearly half of the 20th century, this unit focuses on the impact of technology, both on the international landscape and on human society. In order to develop a meaningful answer to the unit essential question, //"How does human conflict influence the advancement of technology?"//, students will view both the negative and positives that came from technological advancements in the Cold War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDVKTVpeoNs&list=UU3_ot65M8KWUef4obwm6NzQ&feature=share

TEXT BASED

Consider by many to be the first public warning of Soviet intentions to spread their influence and power, Churchill's speech provides readers with excellent context of the concerns of western Europe. This excerpt of the speech allows students to better comprehend how tensions began to arise between two former WWII allies. **Lexile:** 1490L

President Truman's call for assistance in containing the spread of Communism in the early 50's set a new precedent for the United States' foreign policy. This marked not only the beginning the of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, but also the official shift from an isolationist nation to a leading super power in world affairs for America. **Lexile:** 1360L

The formation of the Warsaw nations effectively solidified Soviet, communist control over eastern Europe for nearly half a century. The Warsaw Pact was the Soviet Union's response to the formation of NATO by the western powers and effectively created the Communist sphere of influence in the eastern hemisphere of the world. This excerpt from the pact offers students an opportunity to review the details and agreements that were established. **Lexile:** 1940L

This intercepted, de-classified cable offers a rare glimpse into the mindsets of two major Communist leaders during the Cold War. As is important with all historical events, showcasing the history from the other side's eyes allows students to form a more comprehensive understanding of the event as it is covered in the unit. **Lexile:** 800L

[|Red Scare: Memories of the American Inquisition] **Lexile:** 1020L This fantastic book offers students with a collection of first hand accounts of the anti-communist movements that permeated American society during the Cold War. The Red Scare and McCarthyism are viewed from the perspective of those that were either directly affected or direct witnesses to their impact. This book offers students with the chance to understand the seriousness with which communism was dealt with in American society, while also allowing them the chance to achieve historical empathy with each individual account.

WEB BASED

[|Google Drive/Docs]
This website is a fantastic resource for any unit. Google Docs allows students to work together on a word document in class or at home. Docs saves your work as changes are made and can be used for activities including creating a student-made class organizer or collaborative writing assignment.

[|Twitter] Using this social media site offers students an unorthodox teaching method that is both familiar and fun for them. For this unit Twitter would be utilized so that students could monitor current events in Ukraine involving Russia's invasion. In doing so, students would become more informed, be able to comprehend the historical and contemporary significance of this crisis, and make logical predictions as to how it may end based on information learned from the unit. This would offer teachers with several homework or extra credit opportunities.

http://youtu.be/jiSXnVCA77w //This YouTube clip offers a great deal of detailed information on the creation of ICBM's, or intercontinental ballistic missiles, which played a critical role in shaping and lengthening the Cold War. The video offers many clips from the period as well as commentary from professionals at the time. This serves to teach about the technological piece of the Cold War.//

http://youtu.be/62x16IKGmYQ This YouTube clip is excellent for demonstrating the complexity behind a concept such as M.A.D. It gives students a thorough analysis of how two nations could reason that peace was only sustainable by ensuring the potential for complete annihilation of both sides should one attack the other.

[|HardCore History: Radical Thoughts Podcast] This podcast is an excellent addition to this unit as it explores the concept of rampant fear and the question of its rationality during an uncertain time.

UNIQUE BASED

This map provides a visual understanding of the scale of the Cold War, illustrating its global scope and impact, as well as how far each sides sphere of influence extended.

[|DocsTeachUs] An excellent site for finding primary sources.

Political Cartoon from The Library of Congress demonstrating the wake-up call Americans experienced once Russia surpassed them by sending the first satellite to space. This sparked the space race.

[|National Archives] Another excellent site for primary source material with an added twist. This site allows you to create "pathways" using primary sources in which one source and a clue written by the creator leads one to the next source in a historical chain of events. An excellent option when trying to make history more fun and engaging for students.

[|ReWordify] Very useful site when working with dense texts. This can be utilized when differentiation is necessary or if a desired text is fairly difficult due to high level vocabulary.