The Origins of the Cold War
What were the ideologies behind the Cold War?
Look at the Key Note below to help to explain what the Cold War was, who the different sides were and what each side had as its ideology:
Cold War ideology key note
Cold War ideology key note
The Youtube video opposite comes from CNN Cold war series. Part 1 looks at how the Cold War started following the end of WW2.
|
|
How did the Cold War begin?
(i) the end of the Second World War
Watch the animated map below to see how World War Two ended in Europe:
The map as history
(password needed)
National Archives animation showing how Western Europe changed from 1942-45.
Task - On an outline map of Europe in 1945 colour in red the area that the Soviet armies occupied and in blue the areas occupied by the Allied forces. On the back of the map make a list of countries that won the second world war and the countries that lost.
Outline map of Europe in 1945
What do you notice about the USA and the USSR? Why is this surprising?
The map as history
(password needed)
National Archives animation showing how Western Europe changed from 1942-45.
Task - On an outline map of Europe in 1945 colour in red the area that the Soviet armies occupied and in blue the areas occupied by the Allied forces. On the back of the map make a list of countries that won the second world war and the countries that lost.
Outline map of Europe in 1945
What do you notice about the USA and the USSR? Why is this surprising?
How did the Cold War begin?
(ii) the Yalta Conference February 1945 and the Potsdam Conference July 1945
Read the information below to find out (i) What did the Big Three agree at the Yalta conference and (ii) What could the Big Three not agree on at the Yalta conference?
Yalta Conference
What changed in Europe and with the leaders between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences?
Use the information below to find out (i) What did the Big Three leaders agree at Potsdam? and (ii) What could the Big three leaders not agree at Potsdam?
Potsdam Conference
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir2/yaltaandpotsdamrev1.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir2/yaltaandpotsdamrev2.shtml
Which conference was the most successful? Explain your answer.
Yalta Conference
What changed in Europe and with the leaders between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences?
Use the information below to find out (i) What did the Big Three leaders agree at Potsdam? and (ii) What could the Big three leaders not agree at Potsdam?
Potsdam Conference
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir2/yaltaandpotsdamrev1.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir2/yaltaandpotsdamrev2.shtml
Which conference was the most successful? Explain your answer.
How did the Soviet Union create Satellite States in Eastern Europe?
In 1946 Winston Churchill visited Fulton Missouri and made a speech which came to be known as the 'Iron Curtain Speech'. Watch this clip from the speech. What does the term 'Iron curtain' mean? Why do you think he used it and what do you think the reaction of the USSR was?
See opposite for Episode 2 of CNN's Cold War series from Youtube - The Iron Curtain.
|
|
Download the task sheet below and use the pdf to help you find out how the Soviet Union spread its influence throughout Eastern Europe and created the 'iron curtain'
Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
Soviet influence in Eastern Europe task sheet
Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
Soviet influence in Eastern Europe task sheet
See opposite for Part 3 of CNN's Cold war series - The Marshall Plan from Youtube.
|
|
How did the USA react to the Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe?
What was the US policy of containment? Watch episode 3 of the Cold War CNN series to understand why the USA began the policy of containment and how they implemented it in Europe after 1945.
Use this Key Note as you watch the video to give you some ideas for discussion about the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.
CNN movie Key Note
Interpreting cartoons Keynote
What is the message of the cartoon on the left?
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan are explained in the pdf below. Use this to help you discuss this question in your table groups:
Was the Marshall Plan an example of dollar diplomacy? Support your answer with evidence which both agrees and disagrees.
Containment
Use this Key Note as you watch the video to give you some ideas for discussion about the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.
CNN movie Key Note
Interpreting cartoons Keynote
What is the message of the cartoon on the left?
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan are explained in the pdf below. Use this to help you discuss this question in your table groups:
Was the Marshall Plan an example of dollar diplomacy? Support your answer with evidence which both agrees and disagrees.
Containment
Why did Stalin blockade Berlin in 1948?
In 1948 Stalin imposed a blockade on the train, canal and road links between West Germany and West Berlin. Why did he do this and what were the consequences?
There is a pdf of information to help you:The Berlin Blockade Watch part of the CNN Cold War series about the Berlin Blockade from Youtube and then fill out a copy of the chart on the right. Link to johndclare.net - The Berlin blockade and airlift Task - What is the message of the cartoon above? |
|
What are the different perspectives about the reasons for the start of the Cold War?
You are going to have to write an essay at the end of this section of the unit to explain who you think was to blame for the start of the Cold War. To show you that Historians have different perspectives about this carry out the activities on the key note below by watching the movies in it:
Different Perspectives Key Note
This web page will also give you ideas about the different viewpoints Historians have about who caused the Cold War:
Who Caused the Cold War?
Different Perspectives Key Note
This web page will also give you ideas about the different viewpoints Historians have about who caused the Cold War:
Who Caused the Cold War?
Assessment 1. Test Essay: Evaluate the claim that the USSR and the USA were equally responsible for the outbreak of the Cold War. Use the events up to 1949 in your answer.
Essay Task Sheet is below. You will be assessed on criteria A, C and D.
Essay Task Sheet
Essay Rubric
Essay writing skills Key Note
The pdf below has some assessment of who was to blame for the Cold War:
Who was to blame?
Essay Task Sheet
Essay Rubric
Essay writing skills Key Note
The pdf below has some assessment of who was to blame for the Cold War:
Who was to blame?