11th Grade Semester Two

Unit Five: Early Cold War

Stage 1: Desired Outcomes
Topic / Unit Title: Early Cold War
 Did the Cold War change America for better or worse?
NYS Content Standards Common Core Skills
Standard : 2 Key Idea 2  RH 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
Standard : 2 Key Idea 3  W 3, 4, 5
Standard : 2 Key Idea 4
 SL 1, 4, 6
 L 1, 2, 4

Understandings: Essential Questions:

 The end of World War II led to the cold war.
 The different actions of both America and Russia that
escalated the Cold War
 The philosophy and impact of Truman’s Containment Policy
 The philosophy of the Marshall Plan
 Why America formed NATO
 America’s responsibilities in helping to reconstruct Western
Europe
 America’s reasons for going to war in Korea
 The extent to which the Korean War was successful
 The new idea of limited war
 Why McCarthyism happened in America
 How the Cold War affected American culture (such as
conformity, television, movies)
 The reasons for the improving American economy and its
impact on American culture and lifestyle
Stage 2: Assessments and Tasks
Common Core Literacy Task
 Analyze and answer questions about primary and secondary source
documents.
 Exit ticket: Answer the aim from two different perspectives – one
accusing the other side, and then the other side defending why they
did not do it. Each response should be one paragraph 5-7
sentences using at least 3 specific facts from the lesson
 Activity: You are a member of the National Security Committee –
come up with an alternate solution/policy to containment (5-7
 How did the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences
contribute to the start of the Cold War?
 How did the Russian Army’s advance toward
Germany start the Cold War?
 How did the Berlin Blockade and Berlin Airlift
increase Cold War tensions?
 Was Truman’s containment policy a necessary
foreign policy? Why/why not?
 Was the Marshall Plan a necessary foreign
policy? Why/why not?
 How did NATO help create mutual defense for
Western Europe?
 Should Korea have been a Cold War battlefield?
 Should America have fought a limited war in
Korea?
 Did the Korean War ease the tensions on the
Korean Peninsula?
 How was McCarthy able to rise to power?
 Did McCarthy lead to his own downfall?
 How did Edward R. Murrow end the witch hunt of
McCarthyism?
 Did America offer realistic solutions at home to
the Cold War?
 How did the Cold War affect America culture?
 Why did the 1950’s have a booming economy?
 How did the American teenager monopolize the
economy?
 How did highways change America and lead to
the rise of suburbia?
Performance Task(s) – Other Evidence
 Document Analysis
 Scenario analysis
 Writing Assignments including policy
making, perspective analysis, news
broadcast
 Persuasive Speech Writing
 Creating debate
 Exit ticket summary activities
 sentences with at least 3 details from the lesson)  Document creation (political cartoons)
 Activity: Create a debate between Truman and McArthur on how to  Document Based Question
fight the war. Create eight to ten points of conversation between the
two and must include at least five vocabulary words from the unit
and lesson.
 Activity: Create a Cold War propaganda from a teenagers’
perspective in 1950. Write 2-3 sentences explaining the purpose of
the propaganda using vocabulary from the lesson/unit.
 Activity: You are Edward R. Murrow – prepare a broadcast
challenging McCarthy for See It Now. Your broadcast should be two
paragraphs, include charges you want to bring to McCarthy and
why. Include at least 6-8 details from the lesson and unit.
DBQ – On major events of the Cold War and answering the
question: Did the Cold War affect America more positively or
negatively.
Accommodations: Scaffolds and Differentiation

o Modify primary source texts (variety, complexity, length)

Content

o Incorporate alternative materials (visual, video, audio, internet)

o Provide supplementary resources for supports
o Group with a purpose
o Model skills, task and/or product
o Utilize graphic organizers / note taking template
Process

o Provide individual or group intervention and support

o Re-enforce vocabulary / concept development
o Provide choice / variety of activities or tasks
o Group with a purpose
o Assign specific, purposeful assessments to individuals or groups
o Allow students to choose from a variety of assessments
Product

o Provide scaffolds / supports (outlines, templates, models)

o Provide extension activities to expand thinking or understanding
o Group with a purpose

How will students reflect upon and self-assess their learning?

 Exit Tickets
 Writing Assignments
 Document Creation
 Creating debates
 Scaffolding Questions based on primary and secondary sources
 Graphic Organizers
 Document Based Question

Stage 3: Learning Plan

Instructional Activities and Materials (W.H.E.R.E.T.O.)
AIM: Who was responsible for the “Cold War?”
 A postwar European power vacuum contributed to the heightened East-West tensions and polarization.
 The role the Yalta and Potsdam conferences played in igniting the tension.
 Efforts of the Soviet Union to expand its political and economic system and the determination of the United States to
check Communist expansion caused a “cold war.”
 Historians disagree about who was responsible for the onset of the Cold War.
- Explain the meaning of the term “cold war.”
- Describe the actions taken by the United States that were perceived as a threat to the United States.
 - Describe the actions taken by the United States that were perceived as a threat to the Soviet Union.
- Assess whether the United States or the Soviet Union should be blamed for the Cold War.
ACTIVITY: Exit Ticket: Answer the aim from two different perspectives – one accusing the other side, and then the
other side defending why they did not do it. Each response should be one paragraph 5-7 sentences using at least 3
specific facts from the lesson.

AIM: Was containment of communism a wise policy?

 Enlightened self-interest, idealistic objective and increased global interdependence moved the United States to active
participation in post-war international organizations.
 Presidential power is enhanced by increased United States involvement in world affairs.
 The United States encouraged Western European economic, political, and military consideration to offset the threat of
Soviet expansion. New regional alignments were necessitated by perceived threats to the security of the Western world.
- List and explain the economic and military programs designed to help the recovery of Europe and prevent
Soviet expansion (Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, N.A.T.O.).
- Explain and analyze the reasons for the United States’ involvement in Europe after World War II.
- Evaluate whether or not the United States’ containment of Communism after World War II was a wise foreign
policy.
- Evaluate if containment increased Cold War tension
ACTIVITY: You are a member of the National Security Committee – come up with an alternate solution/policy to
containment (5-7 sentences with at least 3 details from the lesson)

AIM: Was the United States involvement in the Korean “War” justified?
 United States wartime allies and enemies in the Pacific were reversed during postwar events.
 The Korean War gave rise to controversies over an undeclared conflict with limited objectives.
 The conflict between President Truman and General MacArthur over the goals and strategy of the Korean War involved
the question of civilian versus military control of decision-making and foreign policy.
- Explain the origins of the Korean War.
- Analyze the United States strategy of seeking a limited victory in Korea.
- Explain the issues involved in the Truman-MacArthur controversy.
- Evaluate whether or not the United States made a mistake by fighting a “limited war” in Korea
ACTIVITY: Create a debate between Truman and McArthur on how to fight the war. Create eight to ten points of
conversation between the two and must include at least five vocabularies from the unit and lesson.

AIM: Did the Cold War lead to rebellion or conformity in America?

 The growing post war economy
 How the Cold War created a culture of conformity
 How pop culture such as television and movies demonstrated Cold War fear
 How was music an outlet from the Cold War fear?
 How did the interstate highway system lead to suburbia?
- Understand why the economy grew after World War II and into the 1950’s
- How the Cold War created a culture of conformity?
- Evaluate was pop culture lead to rebellion or conformity in society
- Evaluate how the highway system and the car changed America
ACTIVITY: Create a Cold War propaganda from a teenagers’ perspective in 1950. Write 2-3 sentences explaining
the purpose of the propaganda using vocabulary from the lesson/unit.

AIM: Did the Red Scare and McCarthyism violate the ideals of democracy?
 Cold War fear affected and changed American lifestyle: bombshelters, duck and cover.
 Tensions between patriotic loyalty and the right to dissent are intensified during times of crisis or stress in foreign policy.
 The post-World War II Red Scare and the development of McCarthyism resulted from American disillusionment with the
Cold War.
 The illusion of American omnipotence played a role in bringing on the Red Scare and McCarthyism.
- Describe the causes of the Red Scare and McCarthyism.
- Discuss the issues highlighted during the McCarthy era.
- Evaluate how Cold War fear led to a violation of Civil liberties
 - Explain the role that the Cold War conflict with Communism played in domestic politics.
- Explain the circumstances and contributions of Edward R. Murrow that ended McCarthyism.
- Explain and analyze the permanent effects that McCarthyism had on the United States.
- Assess the degree to which the Red Scare and McCarthyism violated the ideals of democracy
ACTIVITY: You are Edward R. Murrow – prepare a broadcast challenging McCarthy for See It Now. Your broadcast
should be two paragraphs, include charges you want to bring to McCarthy and why. Include at least 6-8 details from
the lesson and unit.

Culminating Activity:
DBQ – On major events of the Cold War and answering the question: Did the Cold War affect America more positively or
negatively.

Teacher Reflection for Future Planning

 Evaluate exit tickets, graphic organizers, writing assignments, scaffolding questions, and DBQ. Will use these to
review content and vocabulary building, essay writing skills, document analysis.
 Will explore test results to look common content and skill errors, as well as document analysis.
 Will explore helpfulness of graphic organizers and writing activities

Regents Essays

August 2013
Theme: Foreign Policy (Cold War)
Following World War II, the threat of communist expansion led the United States to take diplomatic, military, and economic
actions to limit the global influence of the Soviet Union and China. These Cold War actions met with varying degrees of
success.

Task: Select two specific actions taken by the United States to limit the expansion of communism during the Cold War and
for each
 Describe the historical circumstances that led to the action
 Discuss the extent to which the action was successful in limiting the expansion of communism

You may use any action taken by the United States to limit the expansion of communism during the Cold War. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include the implementation of the Marshall Plan (1947-1952), the establishment of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (1949), intervention in Korea (1950-1953), the blockade of Cuba (1962), the
escalation of the Vietnam War (1964-1973), the visit of President Richard Nixon to China (1972) and the pursuit of the
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) (1983-1989)

August 2005
Theme: Cold War
Following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a conflict that became known as the Cold
War. The Cold War created problems that the United States addressed with specific actions. These actions had varying
degrees of success.

Task: Identify two problems faced by the United States during the Cold War and for each
 Explain how the problem led to conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union
 Describe one action taken by the United States in response to the problem
 Evaluate the extent to which the action taken was successful in solving the problem

You may use any Cold War problems from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to
consider include the postwar economic upheaval in Western Europe (1945-1947), Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe (1945-
1948), threat of Communist takeover in Greece (1947), Soviet blockade of Berlin (1948), nuclear arms race (1950s-1970s),
and placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba (1962).
Multiple Choice

1 The terms containment, domino theory, and massive retaliation are most closely associated with United States foreign policy efforts
to
(1) maintain neutrality during World War I (1914–1917)
(2) avoid conflict with Germany and Japan in the 1930s
(3) wage the Cold War in the 1950s
(4) increase trade with Latin America in the 1970s

Base your answer to question 2 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.
...Balanced against this are the facts that Russia, as opposed to the western world in general, is still by far the weaker party, that Soviet
policy is highly flexible, and that Soviet society may well contain deficiencies which will eventually weaken its own total potential. This
would of itself warrant the United States entering with reasonable confidence upon a policy of firm containment, designed to confront
the Russians with unalterable counter-force at every point where they show signs of encroaching upon the interests of a peaceful and
stable world....
—George Kennan, “The Sources of Soviet Conduct,” Foreign Affairs, July 1947

2 In this passage, George Kennan is suggesting that the United States should
(1) abandon Western Europe to Soviet control
(2) launch an attack on the Soviet Union
(3) pursue policies to limit the spread of Soviet influence
(4) admit that the Soviet Union posed no real threat to the United States

3 The United States created the Marshall Plan (1947) as a program to

(1) develop an atomic bomb
(2) increase civil defense during the Cold War
(3) provide economic aid to war-damaged Europe
(4) deliver weapons to Nationalist China

4 One goal of the Marshall Plan (1947) was to

(1) provide defensive weapons to Great Britain
(2) rebuild the economy of Western Europe
(3) fund the construction of the iron curtain
(4) bring Nazi war criminals to trial in Nuremberg

Base your answers to questions 4 and 5 on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies.

4 Which statement most accurately expresses the main idea of the cartoon?
(1) American taxpayers hope the Marshall Plan will quickly stabilize Europe’s economy.
(2) The Marshall Plan will limit Europe’s economic recovery.
(3) Europe will not take advantage of the Marshall Plan.
(4) The Marshall Plan will bankrupt the American taxpayer.
5 The United States undertook the action shown in the cartoon primarily to
(1) keep the Soviet Union from developing atomic weapons
(2) prevent Adolf Hitler from returning to power in Germany
(3) stop the spread of communism in Western Europe
(4) force Soviet satellite countries to break away from Soviet control

6 The Berlin airlift was used during the Cold War to

(1) rescue people fleeing West Germany
(2) prevent a communist takeover of Greece and Turkey
(3) overcome a blockade created by the Soviet Union
(4) support peacekeeping efforts by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

7 McCarthyism in the 1950s is most closely associated with

(1) claims that communists had infiltrated the federal government
(2) efforts to prevent pro-communist governments in Latin America
(3) formation of the Warsaw Pact
(4) passage of the Interstate Highway Act

8 The creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) illustrates a commitment to the concept of
(1) colonialism
(2) isolationism
(3) mutual defense
(4) human rights

9 The announcement of the Truman Doctrine, the Berlin airlift, and the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were
actions taken by the United States to prevent the
(1) renewal of Nazi fascism in Germany, Italy, and Spain
(2) expansion of communism into Western Europe
(3) starvation of refugees from Eastern Europe
(4) start of an arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union

Base your answers to questions 9 and 10 on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies.

9 What is the main idea of this 1949 cartoon?

(1) Liberty is being protected by loyal citizens.
(2) Foreign terrorists are endangering the nation.
(3) Fear can threaten civil liberties.
(4) Civil rights protests are alarming the public.
10 This cartoonist is commenting on the
(1) rise of Nazism and fascism in Europe
(2) Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
(3) communist invasion of South Korea to start the Korean War
(4) reaction of the American public to alleged communist activities

Base your answer to question 10 on the map below and on your knowledge of social studies.

10 Which conclusion is supported by the information provided on this map?

(1) The United Nations could have won the war by sending its troops across the Yalu River.
(2) South Korea was never in danger of being defeated by North Korea.
(3) The war did little to alter the territorial division of Korea.
(4) China refused to aid North Korea.

11 McCarthyism in the 1950s is most closely associated with

(1) claims that communists had infiltrated the federal government
(2) efforts to prevent pro-communist governments in Latin America
(3) formation of the Warsaw Pact
(4) passage of the Interstate Highway Act

12 Between 1946 and 1954, the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Senator Joseph McCarthy attracted public attention
by investigating
(1) allegations of communist influences in government
(2) civil rights violations against African Americans
(3) corruption by companies in the defense industry
(4) war crimes of German and Japanese officials

13
“U.S. Sends Aid to Greece and Turkey”
“China Falls to Red Communists”
“Senator Joe McCarthy Claims Communists Infest U.S. Government”
Which generalization regarding these headlines is most valid?
(1) The Cold War affected United States domestic and foreign policy.
(2) The Soviet Union assisted in the rebuilding of Japan after World War II.
(3) The United States returned to a foreign policy of neutrality after World War II.
(4) The United Nations led the effort to contain fascism.

14 Which action did the federal government take in response to Cold War tensions after
and again in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks?
(1) expanding civil rights protections
(2) monitoring persons suspected of endangering national security
(3) withdrawing from international organizations
(4) restricting trade with allies

15 Which event is most closely associated with the end of the Cold War?
(1) President Richard Nixon’s visit to China
(2) withdrawal of United States troops from Vietnam
(3) tearing down the Berlin Wall
(4) sending United States troops to Afghanistan

Base your answer to question 15 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.
... Historians looking back at our time will note the consistent restraint and peaceful intentions of the West. They will note that it was the
democracies who refused to use the threat of their nuclear monopoly in the forties and early fifties for territorial or imperial gain. Had
that nuclear monopoly been in the hands of the Communist world, the map of Europe—indeed, the world— would look very different
today. And certainly they will note it was not the democracies that invaded Afghanistan [in 1979] or suppressed Polish Solidarity or
used chemical and toxin warfare in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia....
—President Ronald Reagan, speech to the British House of Commons, June 8, 1982

15 Which attitude about Cold War rivalries is expressed by President Ronald Reagan in this speech?
(1) Actions taken by communist nations to secure their borders have brought stability to Europe.
(2) The United States has made no attempt to pursue peaceful coexistence with communist nations.
(3) Efforts to reduce the nuclear arms race have resulted in lower defense spending.
(4) Communist nations, not western democracies, have threatened world peace.

16 In 1948, the United States responded to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin by
(1) tearing down the wall between East Berlin and West Berlin
(2) supporting United Nations peacekeeping efforts in West Germany
(3) shutting down transportation to East Berlin
(4) organizing an airlift of supplies to West Berlin

17 The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT), signed by President Richard Nixon with the Soviet Union, was an effort to advance the
foreign policy of
(1) détente
(2) imperialism
(3) brinkmanship
(4) globalization

18 The map shows that the Allied forces

(1) made slow but steady progress in defeating Japan
(2) conducted most of the battles north of the Hawaiian Islands
(3) maintained control of the Philippines from the beginning of the war
(4) had military support from the Soviet Union throughout the war

Base your answer to question 18 on the newspaper headlines below and on your knowledge of social studies.
18 Which statement most accurately explains the relationship between the events described in these newspaper headlines?
(1) The launch of Sputnik prompted the United States to expand its space program.
(2) Space exploration ended competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.
(3) Congress reduced military spending to fund space exploration.
(4) The United States and the Soviet Union began sharing space technology.

19 Which newspaper headline would have appeared after the breakup of the Soviet Union?
(1) “Russian Troops Invade Afghanistan”
(2) “Poland and Hungary Join NATO”
(3) “President Carter Announces Camp David Agreement”
(4) “President Reagan Supports Contras in Nicaragua”

20 The Red Scare, the growth of the Ku Klux Klan, and the murder convictions of Sacco and Vanzetti were influenced by
(1) the rise of organized crime
(2) the passage of immigration quota acts
(3) a distrust of foreigners
(4) an effort to stop fascism

21 The map shows that the Allied forces

(1) made slow but steady progress in defeating Japan
(2) conducted most of the battles north of the Hawaiian Islands
(3) maintained control of the Philippines from the beginning of the war
(4) had military support from the Soviet Union throughout the war