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Lesson Plan
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Overcoming Obstacles

Listening Responsibly

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Responsible speaker + critical listener = effective communication is the equation at the heart of a responsible listening lesson about the power of words. Class members view the clip of the courtroom scene from the film A Few Good Men...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Cultural Diplomacy and the Smith-Mundt Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
During the Cold War, the United States used everything from bookmobiles to radio stations to improve its image globally. Using documents from the programs, including photographs and official memos, individuals consider how the United...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Cultural Diplomacy and Propaganda During the Cold War

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
There's a fine line between diplomacy and propaganda. Young historians consider that boundary by examining documents from the Cold War, including memorandum about the lunar program and Peace Corps in addition to a propaganda film. Using...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

President Reagan and the Cold War: Vision and Diplomacy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After years of boiling tension, the presidency of Ronald Regan and the rise of Mikhail Gorbechev paved a new way forward for diplomacy between the United States and the Soviet Union. Using primary source documents, including letters...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Nixon Visits China: The Week that Changed the World

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Sometimes one trip shakes up the entire world. When President Richard Nixon traveled to China, he defied international and political boundaries. Nixon was the first American president to visit mainland China, which was a communist nation...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Around the World with First Lady Pat Nixon

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Travel the world with the First Lady!  Academics study images from Pat Nixon's travels as First Lady to discover her role in Richard Nixon's presidency. Historians match images to world locations, complete a worksheet, and participate in...
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Unit Plan
United Nations

The UN: Working for Us All

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The United Nation's role in world diplomacy is critical, but its enforcement is limited. Using activities such as role plays and simulations, classmates consider the role the UN plays in world peace keeping. The unit plan includes five...
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Interactive
University of Richmond

The Executive Abroad 1905-2016

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
While the president often appears to jet around the world on diplomatic missions, having the commander in chief travel abroad is a modern phenomenon, starting in the 20th century. Using a graphic, learners explore which presidents...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 1: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793–1796

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After the Revolutionary War, the success of the United States was far from guaranteed. Foreign powers coveted the new land, and Great Britain challenged American sovereignty. Learners consider the challenges facing the new nation using...
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Activity
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National Park Service

A Peace Park

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Piece together American and Canadian culture by learning about peace parks! Scholars discuss differences between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park as a group. The newly-informed pupils answers questions about this...
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Activity
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National Park Service

A Natural Resource Called Peace

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Get your pupils outside and teach them about peace at the same time! Scholars create a list describing peace, hike outside, add to that list, and later create poems. The exercises support differentiation for your individual classes as...
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Unit Plan
US Department of State

The Marshall Plan: The Vision of a Family of Nations

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
The European Recovery Act (aka the Marshall Plan) was designed to bring together and develop a spirit of cooperation among European nations after World War II. Class members examine the materials from the Marshall Plan exhibit and assess...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Document-Based Essay on U.S. Reaction to North Korean Nuclear Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars compose essays on nuclear policies. For this North Korea lesson, students examine political cartoons and primary documents regarding nuclear build-up by North Korea. Young scholars write essays about North Korea's military...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role Of NATO

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this NATO lesson, students research the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, and the Berlin airlift and how they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Failed Diplomacy: The Zimmerman Telegram

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders continue their examination of World War I. In groups, they read a copy of the famous Zimmerman telegram and discuss its effect on Americans. To end the lesson, they discuss how public opinion changed after it became...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causes of World War I

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders identify and explain the six major causes of World War I. They explore the events leading up to WWI, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and why they were the culmination of everything. Students discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diplomatic Relations

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the Phillipines and its political history with the United States. Then, after careful examination of a 2004 hostage situation in Iraq, they write papers analyzing the decision made by then Filipino President Gloria...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nation Building

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson plan, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. Students share their findings and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

U.S. Expansion and the Age of the Empire

For Students 10th - 12th
In this geography skills learning exercise, students define or identify the 4 terms and concepts related to Teddy Roosevelt's diplomacy. Students also respond to 2 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S.-Cuba Relations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the history of United State/Cuba relations. In this diplomacy instructional activity, students research selected websites to gather information regarding various topics of significance between the U.S. and Cuba since 1868....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cuban Missile Crisis in Thirteen Days

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis lesson, 11th graders take notes from a PowerPoint presentation regarding the topic and then watch the film "Thirteen Days". Students participate in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

War and International Law:America’s Foreign Policy: A Brief History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discover the history of American foreign policy. In this foreign policy lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture that presents a brief history of American foreign policy. High schoolers respond to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: Foreign Policy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine American foreign policy. In this diplomacy lesson, students research Internet sources to identify and describe foreign policy events that have shaped the United States and examine the role of the United Nations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: Foreign Policy

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore the basic precepts of American foreign policy. In this diplomacy lesson plan, students read textbook chapters regarding American foreign policy practices before and after World War II. Students also watch a filmstrip...