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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Missiles of October": The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962 and how that presence triggered an international crisis. The options available to the president as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each are...
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Lesson Plan
Rutgers University

African-Americans in WWII

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using transcripts of interviews of African-Americans who served in WWII, class members work in pairs to understand their experience. Prior to the group work, the teacher provides background on WWII and the African-American experience....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Trade Embargo on Cuba

For Teachers All
Students examine perspectives for and against the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, develop a position on the embargo and articulate viewpoints in a public forum.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridging the gap between the U.S. and Cuba

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the events that led to the strained relationship between Cuba and the United States.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders create an illustrated timeline of Cuba-U.S. relations.  Students write an essay...
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Lesson Plan
Foreign Policy Research Institute

Understanding the Koreas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based lesson plan is unlikely to engage the class. The end product...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photograph and Pamphlet About Nuclear Fallout

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the term, 'nuclear fallout.' They analyze the "Facts about Fallout" pamphlet and list any questions that either were not answered by the pamphlet or arose as a result of materials provided.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Undercover in the Secret State

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students examine the current conditions in North Korea. They view and analyze a CNN documentary, research a dissident, answer and discuss questions about the documentary on conditions in North Korea, and identify the technology used by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Contemporary Immigration Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research contemporary immigrations of Africans to the United States. They investigate the laws and regulations of immigration and the impact of immigration on the nation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States -- Soviet Cooperation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the competition between the United States and Russia to put the first man in space. In groups, they use the internet to identify areas in which the two countries cooperated with one another to promote space...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Memorandum of a Conference with President Eisenhower after Sputnik

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners document and list excerpts from a document that shows how calmly officials reacted to the launching of Sputnik. They research contemporary magazines and newspaper articles of the day as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Inaugural Speech: Setting The Tone For The Administration Of A President

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Inaugural Speech of the President of The United States while comparing two speeches. They conduct research to find the two speeches on the internet and look at them side by side. The lesson includes background...
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Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Peace Becomes Cold War, 1945 1950

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of historical events that led to the Cold War from the perspective of the U.S. Army. Particular emphasis is placed on military leadership and policy.
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Website
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Presidency of Ronald Reagan, Pt. 2: Foreign Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
Under President Reagan, the Cold War began to thaw and trouble brewed in the Middle East. Learn about Reagan's foreign policy initiatives by perusing this summary, reading an excerpt from his "Evil Empire" speech, answering thought...
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Website
Other

John Mc Adams: Marquette: Kennedy and the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses John F. Kennedy and his role in the Cold War.
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Handout
Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College: Early Cold War Era u.s. Foreign Policy

For Students 11th - 12th
In his article entitled "Economic Interests, Party, and Ideology in Early Cold War Era U.S. Foreign Policy", Benjamin O. Fordham discusses the United States' foreign policy during the Cold War, focusing on the country's ideology, party...
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Website
Other

Southwestern Academy: Eisenhower's Foreign Policy [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A well-organized look at President Eisenhower's Cold War policies throughout his two terms as president. Find out about his policies toward the USSR, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
View videos, photograph, and renderings of American presidents and their foreign counterparts in this image-rich examination of the post-World War II environment and the cold war that followed it. Includes a review of key foreign-policy...
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Lesson Plan
City University of New York

American Social History Proj.: Decoding u.s. Foreign Policy: Iran Contra Affair

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the Iran-Contra Affair using a timeline and related documents, and practice critical thinking about US foreign policy during the late Cold War years, and about the actions of officials of Ronald Reagan's government. They...
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: Period 9: 1980 Present: Ronald Reagan: Foreign Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn that during Reagan's years in office the Cold War began to thaw and the Middle East started to heat up.
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Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Cold War (1945 1980)

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick comprehension check over the Cold War.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: End to the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief overview of G. W. Bush administration policy and the collapse of the Soviet Union effectively ending the Cold War.
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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: The Cold War and the American Home Front

For Students 9th - 10th
Students will identify ways in which Cold War tensions were intensified.
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Post War Prosperity and Cold War Fears 1945 1960: The American Dream

For Students 11th - 12th
Looks at the policies of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, both at home and abroad. Also examines changing gender roles in the 1950s, and the impact of suburbanization on America.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History:the Cold War Continues

For Students 5th - 8th
A comprehensive look at U.S. foreign policy during the Eisenhower administration. The Cold War was at its height, and the United States used many tactics to fight and contain the spread of Communism. Be sure to watch the cartoon of Bert...