1971 Agreement between the US and USSR to avoid nuclear war

Students feel empowered when they can read and understand primary source documents. Often they are written in language far above the ability of most middle and high schoolers and so some students give up.

This document, written in 1971 between two nations that were on the road to detente, provides an opportunity to have a little fun. It’s easy to read and can be translated into “teenage speak”.

We’ve included the Agreement, an assignment and answers for your classroom use.

For more Cold War Era resources check out our:

US History PowerPoints

• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The 1950s
• 1960s
• Vietnam
• New! The 1970s
• Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

World History PowerPoints

• The Modern Era: 1945-1970
• The Modern Era 2: 1971-2009

Classroom history games

• Critical Decisions of Harry Truman
• Critical Decisions of John F. Kennedy
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 1: 1946-1960
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 2: 1961-1980
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 3: 1981-2008

Cold War cartoon on Iron Curtain

The Cold War is rich with symbols that help students truly understand the conflict. This cartoon is no exception.

Published in 1947 in the wake of Soviet involvement in Greece and Turkey, Jay “Ding” Darling captures the feelings of the hopelessness ahead in resolving issues with communist Russia.

We have included questions and answers for your classroom use.

For more Cold War resources check out our PowerPoints:

• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The 1950s
• 1960s
• Vietnam
• The 1970s
• Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
• The 1980s
• The Modern Era: 1945-1970  World History
• The Modern Era 2: 1971-2009   World History

Classroom history games:

• Critical Decisions of Harry Truman
• Critical Decisions of John F. Kennedy
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 1: 1946-1960
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 2: 1961-1980
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 3: 1981-2008

Israeli Declaration of Independence, 1948

After WWII ended, the new nation of Israel was announced by their Declaration of Independence.

They hoped for UN recognition and peace with surrounding nations.

We have included a copy of the Declaration as well as questions and answers.

This might be an interesting comparison with other historical declarations.

For more on this era check out our PowerPoint resources:

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy

The Modern Era: 1945-1970

The beginning of the Cold War

This cartoon, drawn by Bruce Russell in 1945, is an excellent example of the symbols and concepts used throughout the Cold War.

What is so interesting about it is that it was drawn in 1945, at the beginning of the decades long conflict.

We have included a copy of the cartoon with questions and answers for your classroom.

For more on this era check out our resources:

US History PowerPoints

• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The 1950s
• 1960s
• Vietnam
• Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

World History PowerPoints

• The Modern Era: 1945-1970
• The Modern Era: 1971-2009

Simulation games

• Critical Decisions of Harry Truman
• Critical Decisions of John F. Kennedy
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 1: 1946-1960
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 2: 1961-1980

J. Edgar Hoover’s Congressional Testimony

J. Edgar Hoover was the head of the FBI from its inception in 1935 through 1972.

Many of those years were dedicated to rooting out communists in America.

In this testimony before Congress in 1947 Hoover outlines the dangers facing the US during the Cold War.

We have included a copy of the testimony as well as questions and answers.

For more on this era check out our PowerPoints:

US History

• U.S. Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
• U.S. Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The 1950s

World History

The Modern Era: 1945-1970

Simulation games:

• Critical Decisions of Harry Truman
• Critical Decisions of John F. Kennedy
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 1: 1946-1960
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 2: 1961-1980

Technology has made the world smaller, 1946

This film explores the beginnings of transportation and communication across the oceans and lands.

It explains some of the key technologies, including steam power, gasoline engines, telephones, and the newest one, television that “brings all parts if the earth as close together as out living room.”

Although it is a bit cheesy, it could generate some great discussion on the experiences students have everyday of faraway places. Brainstorm what products are located in the classroom that are a result of the technologies listed in the film.

As an extension, ask students to add another five minutes to the film in order to include some of the newer technologies that did not exist in the 1940s. Group students and have them write the narrative for the announcer as well as choosing the images and technologies that best depict the global village called earth.

President Truman on the Marshall Plan

After World War II, the U.S. was left with the responsibility of taking care of the battered nations across Europe.

George C. Marshall came up with a plan to revitalize the economies and help stabilize the region.

We have an earlier post which includes a transcript of Marshall’s speech as well as questions and answers for students.

Today’s posting includes Truman convincing Congress to approve the plan.

Check out our new World History Modern Era: 1945-1970, as well as the U.S. History Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy PowerPoints for further exploration of this topic.

McCarthyism Political Cartoon lesson plan

Senator McCarthy led the nation through countless hours of trials as he sought to root out all communists in the United States.

He believed that communists had infiltrated all levels of American society, including the government. The cartoon we included today involves the action taken by the Illinois American Legion, who accused the Girl Scouts of being un-American because of their “one world” beliefs.

Here is the cartoon with questions and answers.

How to prepare for a nuclear attack during the Cold War, 1951

This film, aimed at elementary school aged-children, explains how to survive an atomic attack. Of course we know today that these techniques would not save your life, for example closing the venetian blinds, but it is an interesting look back at the fear felt by many during the Cold War era.