Cold War and 1950s Enduring Understandings:Ideological struggles between the Soviet Union and the United States had far reaching global implications throughout the 1950s, 1960s until today.
StandardsDay One -Objective: To understand how the end of WWII established the tensions that would result in the Cold War.
Discussion Questions: Did the losers of WWII suffer more damage than the winners? What impact did the war have on most of Europe? Why does communism thrive in unstable economies? Why did the United States have such a unique position after the war ended? Activities: 1. Analyzing Motives- students will read a short article on US and Soviet experiences during the war and we will try and determine how that influenced their growing distrust of one another. 2. Guided Reading- Students will read an article on their own and answer questions to help them better understand the information. 3. Powerpoint notes- Students will take notes from a powerpoint that highlights information about the origins of the Cold War. Homework: Read chapter 25, section three...CAREFULLY! Day TwoObjective: To summarize US attempts to contain communism.
Discussion Questions: Should one country allow another country control their economy? What is the basis of a capitalist economy? Is our economy completely capitalist? When is necessary for one country to step in and help another's economy? Activities: Reading assessment - 1. Graph skills- Students will read a short article and analyze a graph on the Marshall Plan. 2. Video - Students will watch a short video on the Berlin Airlift and answer questions. 3. Map Skills - Students will work on a map that illustrates the spread of communism to Eastern Europe, China and North Korea. May 2nd and 6thObjective: To analyze the impact of the spread of communism in Asia.
Discussion Questions: Why was China so important to the US economy? What pass efforts were made by the US to control/manipulate Chinese society/government? How might tensions in this region contribute to the rising tensions at home? Activity 1 - Reading Assessment; students will take a five question assessment to determine how well they read. Activity 2 - Discussion of the assessment and reading on China and Korea. Activity 3- We will go over notes that highlight the roles of Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Zedong, the success of the Communist Party and the Nationalist retreat to Formosa/Taiwan. We will continue to take notes on the impact of China on the spread of Communism in Korea and the impact of the Korean War. May 8thObjective: To understand the origins of third Red Scare
Activity: 1- Students will watch a short video on McCarthyism and the Salem Witch Trials and we will discuss the connection and the use of fear to control society. 2- Students will read a comparison of communist and capitalist ideology and do a short timed writing. 3. Students will take notes on the Red Scare and we will discuss it's origins and impact. May 10thObjective: To consider the impact of the Red Scare on the progressive movement in the 1950s.
Activity 1 - Subversive speed dating; students will have a specific person and will be paired with different students to "speed date" and learn as much about different subversives who were targeted under HUAC and McCarthy. 2- We will come together to share what we learned about the groups that were targeted. 3- Students will have a short timed writing in which they will have to share what they have learned. May 14thObjective: To analyze the impact of consumerism on society and the economy.
Discussion Questions: Do you think commercials are effective? What are the most effective type of advertisements? What is consumerism and do you think it is necessary for a strong economy? Are some behaviors helpful to the economy but detrimental to ourselves?
Activities: 1. View Assessment- Students will take a short assessment to see how carefully they watched the video. 2 - Students will take notes on the American Dream and how it shaped society in the 1950s. 4. Personality Tests and Conformity - We will discuss the use of personality tests and what can be learned from them and how corporations use the information. Students will take a personality test for homework and share their findings. May 16thObjective: Students will analyze the growth of "shared cultural norms" and how it influenced the emergence of "subculture."
Discussion Questions: What are social "norms?" Do you think you are influenced by "teen culture?"How do some teens and young adults rebel against social "norms?" Activities: 1. We will discuss the influence of television in creating social norms in the 1950s. Students will watch a clip from the movie, Good Night and Good Luck and critique Edward R. Murrow's attitude about the growing influence of television on society. 2. We will discuss the role of media on society today. 3. Beat Generation: Students will take notes on the Beat writers and we will discuss how they rebelled against the consumerist society. HOMEWORK: Students will write a poem. "I have seen the best minds of my generation destroyed by. . . " Review Sheet One Review Sheet TWo May 20th -24thObjective: Students will work on Road Trip Project and understand the economic impact of WWII on the 1950s.
Activities: 1. - Students will work on their Road Trip Websites. |
Essential Questions:
Useful Files and Videos
"Nuke Map" -Interactive bombing simulation
Watch all three
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