University of California
Containing Communism Abroad
Learn more about the policy of the United States to contain communism during the Cold War. The fifth installment of an eight-part series looks at primary and secondary materials about a challenging time in history. After analyzing the...
Historical Thinking Matters
Spanish-American War: 3 Day Lesson
Why did the United States choose to invade Cuba in 1898? As part of a 3-day lesson, your young historians will first develop working hypotheses to answer this question, then work with a variety of historical primary source documents that...
Curated OER
U.S.-Cuba Relations
Students study the history of United State/Cuba relations. In this diplomacy lesson, students research selected websites to gather information regarding various topics of significance between the U.S. and Cuba since 1868. Students...
Center for History Education
A Presidential Decision - The Bay of Pigs
The instructional activity examines President Kennedy's response to the Bay of Pigs Crisis and Cold War tensions. Academics learn how the information President Kennedy had affected his response to the question of whether to invade Cuba....
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution and Its Impact on Latin America
Fidel Castro was the iconic leader of Cuba. Yet, individuals may know little about the man or his motivations. In an engaging Web quest activity, scholars investigate Castro's political aspirations and his more ephemeral personal life...
Curated OER
The U.S. Trade Embargo on Cuba
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.
Curated OER
90 Miles: Immigrant Journeys
Students view a film that chronicles the experiences of Juan Carlos Zaldivar, a Cuban American immigrant. They discuss and analyze this autobiographical film and conduct further research on historical relations between the United States...
Center for History Education
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cold War tensions led to hostile actions. Scholars use primary sources to understand the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis during President Kennedy's administration. The lesson plan provides primary sources and a graphic organizer...
Curated OER
Fidel Castro: El Comandante
Students view a documentary on Fidel Castro. After nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and research the Cuban...
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
Compare the United States Government with Other Political Systems
Students explore the U.S. form of government and illustrate other forms of government found throughout the world. They explain the similarities and differences between the U.S and other governments.
Social Studies School Service
DVD Lesson Plan: Thirteen Days
Here you'll find a fine teacher reference for presenting the film Thirteen Days, a dramatic interpretation of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Kennedy administration. It includes a brief description of the film, learning objectives, a...
Curated OER
Exploring US Foreign Policy after WWII--The Cold War
Scholars explore U.S. Foreign Policy and Cold War ideologies adopted after WWII. They conduct Internet research on a topic or issue related to the Cold War Era, watch two films, and compose a time line and a multimedia presentation to...
Curated OER
Fighting 20th-Century Tyranny
Students examine political regimes of the 1900s. In this government structures lesson, students watch "Fighting 20th Century Tyranny," and discuss the Holocaust and communism. Students simulate mock interviews with the individuals in the...
Curated OER
Big Trouble in the New Frontier: The Bay of Pigs
Eleventh graders explore the Bay of Pigs invasion and defend both sides of the issue.
Media Education Lab
Defining Propaganda
21st century learners live in a media world. Help them develop the skills they need to be able to analyze the barrage of propaganda they face daily, with a resource that introduces them to the type of persuasive appeals found in news,...
Curated OER
Pope John Paul II
Learners discover the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II. In this world history lesson, students research selected websites about the history of Poland, the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II, and the responsibities of the...
Curated OER
A Conservative Era
In this Conservative Era worksheet, students write definitions for six terms, examine five pairs of sentences then determine which one is false, then link two sets of words together by identifying which historical theme they share in...
Curated OER
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 10 Steps
Tenth graders research the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis lesson plan, 10th graders work in groups to order a group of ten events of the crisis.
Curated OER
The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962
Sixth graders explain the importance the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the role it played in the Cold War. After studying the crisis, 6th graders compose an essay describing the crisis and how the U.S. became vulnerable to nuclear...
Curated OER
Cold War Wars
In this Cold War worksheet, high schoolers respond to 21 short answer questions regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Chinese Civil War.
Curated OER
Diversity Government
Students explore diversity through government. For this diversity lesson, students use types of government as a way to understand the importance of diversity. Students use "diversity beans" to facilitate discussion with one another.
Curated OER
Cuban Missile Crisis in Thirteen Days
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...
Curated OER
the Rights of Detainees At Guantanamo Bay
Students identify the legal issues involved in the case of the detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay and surrounding the existence of the base itself. They explain the clash between civil liberties and national security during wartime.