Here is a pdf copy of your text book
Who was to blame for the Cold War?
(If you find any of the videos blocked then download the following video downloader, open the video in youtube then copy the URL to the 4K Video Downloader programme. If you are in boarding you can also use a mobile hotspot)
The US and Soviet Union were allies against Nazi Germany during the Second World War, and yet by 1949 were recognised as enemies in a 'Cold War'. Watch this video first to get an overview of the causes, creating a timeline of events with key moments, use the powerpoint to help with an overview....
Look at pages 84 - 85 (78 and 79 pdf) of your text book. Identify with notes or a diagram differences between the USA and Soviet Union. What was it that bound them together in 1945?
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In February 1945 the 'Big Three' met a Yalta...look at the powerpoint intro...analyse the photos to assess how you think this conference went. What is the feeling of the newsreel clip? Use the 'basics' powerpoint for notes.
BUT how true was this picture of agreement? Complete the source analysis on page 87 (81 pdf) 'behind the scenes at Yalta'. So is this the start of the Cold war?
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By Summer 1945 things had changed as the allies met in Potsdam near Berlin...watch this newsreel, what has changed and what is the apparent mood?
Does page 88 (82 pdf) seem to agree with this mood? Make sure you know what has changed and what is agreed (or not!) Look at the photos for Yalta and Potsdam and decide which best apply to these conferences. Then work through some of the document exercises Yalta to Potsdam and try this exam question
Churchill is the first to speak out openly in his 'Iron Curtain' speech. You can see the whole speech here...
Look at page 90 (83 pdf), try the Think! question or work on the Iron Curtain documents exercise.
How did the USA react? Read pages 92 - 94 (85 to 87 pdf) and complete the focus task page 94 (87 pdf) on the US reaction. Use the powerpoint and Word doc guide question to guide you. At this stage look at the source pack and write a longer answer to explain why a Cold war began. At what stage would you say a Cold War existed.
The Berlin Airlift was the first 'incident' of the Cold War. Read pages 95 - 96 (88 - 90 pdf) and watch this video for an introduction. What were Stalins reasons for the blockade and what did the West believe his reasons were? Then look at the powerpoint and do some cartoon analysis.
Highlight key moments on the timeline before looking at the effects with the long term / short term card sort
The pattern was now set for the Cold War. One reaction was NATO, then the Warsaw Pact...Look at this map and page 97 (91 pdf) to see the situation by the early 1950's..
Look at the historiography and explain which school of thought you agree with.
SO.. who was to blame for the Cold War? Look at this example answer and try the source questions. Now try the exam question practice on page 99 (93 pdf). There is also a full Paper 2 to try here. Try the source analysis. You also have here some revision reminders
How effectively did the USA contain the spread of communism?
Truman had commited the USA to a policy of containment. How far would the US stick to this policy no matter what?...
The first test is Korea. Look at these powerpoints to get a sense of Korea today and the issue in 1950. Does it appear to be solved? Use your text book to answer the Word document questions before answering the 10 mark question 'To what extent was the Korean War a success for containment?'
NOW...the Cold War moves to Cuba. Watch the first 14 minutes of this video and list the reasons why relations between the USA and Cuba collapsed...
Read pages 107 - 115 (102 -109 pdf) and look at this timeline of events. Work through the crisis, first considering Kennedy's options (page 111 or 105 pdf) then looking for evidence in the events for each of the possibilities for Khruschev putting missiles on Cuba. Finally, explain in a 10 marks style answer who gained the most from the crisis / whether it was a success for containment?
NOW..Vietnam. Watch this video for an overview. Then read pages 116 - 118 before completing focus task 5.4 (110 to 112 before completing Focus Task A pdf)
Work in groups to consider the overall question 'Why did the USA fail to win the Vietnam War'. Divide your research up between you, perhaps with categories like 'US troops and tactics', 'Viet Cong troops and tactics', 'Problems at Home'. Create a display or presentation, with a conclusion.
Finally try these source questions for some Paper 2 practice..
How secure was the USSR's control over Eastern Europe 1948 to 1989?
After the Cold war emerged the perception was one of equal superpowers. Stalin's control of Eastern Europe had been one of the causes. This powerpoint illustrates the methods he used. Look at it, then read pages 124 - 125 of the pdf textbook to identify where these methods were used.
Read pages 126-127 of the pdf textbook Why do you think the emergence of Khrushchev led people in the East to believe things might change?
Watch the video about Hungary and read the Word info to create notes about the causes and consequences of 1956. 10 marks question: 'Hungary in 1956 proved the Soviet Union had a weak hold over Eastern Europe.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Read pages 137, 138, 139 (133, 134, 135 pdf). Organise notes in three parts - problem? Solution? Result? Use your notes, the powerpoint and watch the video if you like. Put it all together, Why was Berlin significant for Soviet control of Eastern Europe?
Look at the examples of graffiti and design your own, perhaps on a model of the Berlin Wall panels, to protest
Look at the powerpoint. What happened in 1968 in Czechoslovakia? How far was this similar to what happened in Hungary in 1956? What did each event suggest about Soviet security?
Read pages 140 - 141 (136 - 137 pdf) and look at the Word document. Who were Solidarity? What did they want? What did they achieve? Are they the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union?
Now watch the video and create a timeline with key events noted, highlighting where you think the key turning points fall.
Look at pages 142 - 143 (138 - 139 pdf)read Gorbachev's speech and look at the info in the End of the USSR. Why did the Soviet Union not survive the collapse of communism in eastern Europe?
Complete Focus Task 6.8 page 148 (Focus Task B page 144 pdf) and then the exam practice page 149 (145 pdf). For revision challenge yourself to the end of topic test.
Enjoy Ronald Reagan's joke......(He and Gorbachev actually got on very well)