Cold War Comic Books

Every teacher strives to find new ways to pique and keep students’ interest throughout the school year.

We believe that comic books can be one of many resources in this quest.

In this case we are highlighting a few Esquire Comics from the Cold War era.

The imagery can be quite graphic at times, so prescreening is always essential before passing something out.

We have included an assignment that is classroom ready to be used during a Cold War unit.

For more Cold War 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
• The 1970s
• Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
• The 1980s

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

Historic Film Collection

Historic Film Collection, Part 4

Causes of World War II

This graphic from our World History World War II PowerPoint breaks down the major causes of the conflict. For a printable version click here.

We suggest using this as a starting point for researching each cause in greater detail either as a group or individual activity. Groups could present to the class as a whole and individuals could create a PowerPoint, news article, or other creative product describing the major causes of WWII.

For more on this era check out our:

World History PowerPoints

• Europe Between the Wars
• World War II

Classroom History games

• Causes of World War II: Part 1
• Causes of World War II: Part 2
• Causes of World War II: Part 3

US History PowerPoints

• Causes of World War II
• World War II

Pearl Harbor film

This Castle Film was shot after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It begins with a helpful map of the harbor’s location and shows the devastation on the seaplane base, destroyer USS Shaw, battleship USS Utah and the USS Arizona.

For more resources on teaching the WWII era check out our:

US History PowerPoints

• Causes of World War II
• World War II

World History PowerPoints

• Europe Between the Wars
• World War II

Classroom History Games

• Causes of World War II: Part 1
• Causes of World War II: Part 2
• Causes of World War II: Part 3

Film Collection, 1940s:  Historic Film Collection, Part 3

Interview a Veteran

One of our favorite assignments is to interview people about their life experiences, especially if they lived through a significant event.

The best way to find a local veteran is to contact the VFW.

Over the years we have created our own questions, however the Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project has a wonderful resource that is available for your classroom use.  Click here to access the page with questions.

We appreciate all of the sacrifices that veterans have made for our nation and the world.

Appeasement cartoon by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was an American treasure for all of his amazing contributions throughout his prolific life.

His political cartoons during WWII provide a wonderful opportunity for students to analyze obvious images in order to decipher the messages.

We have included a copy of this cartoon along with questions and answers.

For more WWII resources check out our:

1940s Historic Film Collection

US History PowerPoints:

• Causes of World War II
• World War II

World History PowerPoints:

• Europe Between the Wars
• World War II

Classroom History Classroom Games

• Causes of World War II: Part 1
• Causes of World War II: Part 2
• Causes of World War II: Part 3

World War I trench warfare

World War I trench warfare was a devastating experience for most soldiers. Much of a unit on this topic is spent exploring the daily lives of soldiers in the trenches.

This quick clip could be used in several ways: asking students to document what they see as a reporter, describing how they believe the soldiers feel, writing a letter home as a soldier based on what is in the video, writing a journal entry, etc.

For more WWI resources check out our:

Film Clips: Historic Film Collection, Part 1

US History PowerPoint   World War I

World History PowerPoint World War I

Classroom History Game: Critical Decisions of Woodrow Wilson

Cuban Missile Crisis political cartoon

This cartoon, drawn by Edmund Valtman and published in The Hartford Times, October 30, 1962, is a fantastic cartoon for classroom use.

The symbols used are easily recognizable and that makes students feel much more confident going into a cartoon interpretative assignment.

We have included a copy of the cartoon as well as questions and answers ready to use in your classroom.

For more Cold War resources check out our PowerPoints:

US History

• 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
• America’s Smaller Wars: 1798-2001
  

World History

• 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

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

Wing to Wing, 1951

The British government made this film in 1951 to explain the importance of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in defending the west.

Historical footage highlights several of the newer technologies and styles of aircraft.

For more on the Cold War Era 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
• The Modern Era: 1945-1970  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