Curated OER
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
Students analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.
Curated OER
The Red Scare
Students identify and interpret issues of Nativism and Protectionism in early 20th Century America. They analyze the roots of anti-immigrant movements in the Post-World War One United States. Finally, students identify and explore the...
Curated OER
China and Communism
Sixth graders discuss what might happen if United States government took over media ownership, read Junior Scholastic article entitled "China Looks to the Future," and create chart comparing Chinese Communist government to United States...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazi Party Platform
Not all party platforms stay democratic. A resource covers many political issues in Germany during the time of World War II, and teaches pupils about the Nazi party platform and what went wrong. Individuals participate in a warm-up...
Curated OER
McCarthyism: The Political Cartoons of Herb Block
Students examine McCarthyism. In this Cold War instructional activity, students analyze 6 political cartoons by Herb Block that capture the essence of the Red Scare. Students discuss the cartoons and the fear of communism that permeated...
Curated OER
McCarthyism: The Effects of the Anti-Communism Fear
Students read a flowchart and look at corresponding photos to explore the anti-communist fears in the mid-twentieth century and the impact Senator Joseph McCarthy had on those fears.
Curated OER
Tiananmen Square
Students identify and explain the Tiananmen Square incident of June 1989.
Studentsl compare what it is to be an American Citizen (Democracy) vs.
Chinese Citizen (Communism). Students identify and define various vocabulary terms,...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
"I have here in my hand . . ." The war against Communism and Joseph McCarthy’s place in it are the focus of a series of lessons examining postwar America from 1945-1954. Joseph McCarthy takes center stage in this, the final lesson...
Curated OER
The Cold War: Anti-Communism at Home
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the Red Scare. In this Cold War lesson, 11th graders read the provided literature about anti-communism in the United States and then respond to the provided discussion questions that accompany the...
Curated OER
Follow the Marx
Young scholars explore communism from historical and theoretical perspectives to present to fellow classmates at a teach-in. Each team of students be responsible for researching and presenting on one of the suggested topics in the activity.
Curated OER
Harry S. Truman - Campaign of 1948
Students establish the major events leading up to the election in 1948. In this U.S. History lesson, students research details about Harry S. Truman, then they participate in a class discussion about him so that they are ready to...
Curated OER
Research Activity: Grades 10-12
Students discuss the war in Iraq, Adam Michnik's essay "We, the Traitors," and the notion that we bear a collective responsibility to rise up against oppression, within a modern geo-political context. They each write a research report on...
Curated OER
World War II - War Comes to Hawaii
Ninth graders use geographic representations to organize, analyze, and present information on people, places, and environments. They use tools and methods of geographers to construct, interpret, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative...
Annenberg Foundation
Becoming Visible
The television and interstate highways both came of age in 1950s America. Scholars use film, text, and discussion to explore how these and other cultural icons shaped the literature of the time. Pupils also create a family history...
Curated OER
People Power
High schoolers view a television program that explores many Eastern European residents' discontentment with communism. They work in groups to research living conditions in an Eastern European country before communism, under communism and...
Curated OER
Connecticut Communists
Eleventh graders investigate Cold War politics. In this Connecticut history lesson, 11th graders discover details about the Connecticut Seven who were indicted for violating the Alien Registration Act of 1940. Students write closing...
Curated OER
The Early Tensions of the Cold War
High schoolers uncover the roots of the Cold War. In this Cold War lesson, students research the political philosophies of the Soviet Union and the United States during the era as they define key vocabulary and discuss government...
Curated OER
What's Next for China and the US?
Tenth graders assist President Bush in researching and writing a 2-page report on China, including any economic and political changes that have significantly affected the country within the last 50 years.
Curated OER
The Russian Revolution
Students complete a matching game based on geographic features of Russia and label a map with these features. In this geography and politics lesson, students identify resources and populations in Russia and complete a T-Chart on a video...
Japan Society
Japan in the World Since 1945
What have US-Japanese relations been like since the conclusion of World War II? Why do some commentators identify Japan's postwar years as a subordinate independence? Invite your young historians to research Japan's status in the world...
Curated OER
Mysterious Slovak Words in Yellow Submarine
Students read an article about the song "Yellow Submarine." In this lesson, students complete several activities that relate to the article, including a vocabulary assignment, sentence starters, class discussion and a quiz.
ProCon
Cuba Embargo
President John F. Kennedy bought 1,200 Cuban cigars the night before he enacted the Cuban trade embargo in 1962. Should the United States maintain the embargo? Using the website, pupils explore the topic to prepare for a class debate or...
Curated OER
China: One Nation: Two Futures
Tenth graders explore the evolution of Chinese communism to its present export-driven economy. Working in groups, they examine various articles about reforms in Chinese society. They write essays about the impact of political reform on...
Curated OER
Social Studies: The Declaration of Conscience
Young scholars examine Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of Conscience and discuss its impact on Maine politics. After reading it, they discuss their opinions and write short responses about them. As a follow-up activity, students write...