EVENTS OF THE

Social Name:
Studies

COLD WAR
RESEARCH
PROJECT
For this project, students will research one of several different significant events of the Cold
War. Students will use of a variety of research sources. For the project itself, students will
create a PowerPoint / Google Slides presentation that contains all of the required elements
below.

Required Elements

 What happened? Provide an overview of:

• major events
• people
• dates.
 Did the event increase or decrease tensions between the US and Soviet Union? Explain.
 How did the event impact the United States AND the Soviet Union? Explain.
 Why is the event historically significant to the Cold War AND overall human history?
 In what ways does the event or policy represent: containment, expansionism,
détente, brinkmanship, deterrence, alignment? (Your event may only be one or
several)
 Include at least 7 images or political cartoons to accompany your project. Provide
captions that explain each image or cartoon and discuss its significance. (What is it
showing?)

Events/Policies for Research – Choose 1

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 Berlin Blockade/Airlift
Studies  Rise and Fall of Berlin Wall
 Space Race  Vietnam War
 Arms Race  Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
 Cuban Missile Crisis  Bay of Pigs
 Korean War  Cold War Espionage (spying)
 CATEGORY
PROJECT RUBRIC4 3 2 1
Required Elements The project All required Some of the Most required
and Accuracy includes all elements are required elements elements were
required elements included on the are included on the missing, and the
and are project, and only project, and there project lacks
exceptionally minor errors are are many issues accuracy.
accurate. present in with accuracy.
accuracy.
Quality of Provides specific, Provides General or Limited or
Persuasion and relevant appropriate details incomplete details irrelevant details
details related to related to the related to the related to the
the project that is project that may project that is project that is not
very persuasive. contain errors and somewhat persuasive.
it satisfactorily persuasively.
persuasive.
Development of The project shows Project displays a Project displays Project appears to
Ideas an exceptionally in- very in-depth base only some in-depth have insufficient
depth base of of content and content and in-depth content
content and knowledge. knowledge, and and knowledge,
knowledge and the ideas are and contains
includes thorough straight forward. limited ideas.
explanations.
Understanding of Shows a strong Shows a clear Shows a limited Shows little to no
Significance understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of
the significance of the significance of the significance of the significance of
the event. the event. the event. the event.
Communication Writing is clear, Writing is Writing is unclear
accurate, and satisfactory with and difficult to
effective with well- only minor errors distinguish the
organized ideas. but does not message.
interfere with the
message.
Organization and The project is The project is The project is
Design exceptionally acceptably distractingly messy
attractive in terms attractive though it or very poorly
of design, layout, may be a bit designed. It is not
and neatness. messy. attractive.
Name(s): Class:

Mark: / 22
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IMPORTANT
Studies

TERMS OF THE
COLD WAR
Directions: Before you begin your research project you will need to understand
what each of the following terms means, especially in relation to the Cold War.
Using your textbook, or online sources, record a definition for each in the space
provided.

TERM DEFINITION

BRINKMANSHIP

DÉTENTE

DETERRENCE

ALIGNMENT

CONTAINMENT

EXPANSIONISM
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RESEARCH CHART
Studies

Directions: Use the following chart as a place to gather your research information as
you prepare to complete the project on your chosen or assigned event. Record your
source of information as well to show where you got the information from.

What happened? Provide an overview of the major events, people and dates.

Did the event increase or decrease tensions between the US and Soviet Union?
Explain.

How did the event impact the United States AND the Soviet Union? Explain.

Why is the event historically significant to the Cold War AND overall human history?

In what ways does the event or policy represent: containment, expansionism,

détente, brinkmanship, deterrence, alignment? (may only be one or several)