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This Guatemalan Coup of 1954: How Did the Cold War Influence American Foreign Policy Decisions? lesson plan also includes:
- Guatemalan Coup of 1954: How Did the Cold War Influence American Foreign Policy Decisions? (.html)
- Resource Sheet #1: Background on the Guatemalan Coup of 1954 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #2: Making Connections (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #3: Guatemalan Coup Document Analysis Sheet (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #4: Source 1 - Official CIA Document, October 1952 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #5: Source 2 - John E. Peurifoy, Telegram, 1953 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #6: Source 3 - President Arbenz's Resignation Speech (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #7: Source 4 - Secretary of State John F. Dulles, Radio Address, 1954 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #8: Source 5 - Arbenz Pits Reds Against U.S.? (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #9: Source 6 - Eisenhower Memoirs, 1963 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #10: Source 7 - Philip C. Roettinger, The Company, Then and Now, 1986 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #11: Assessment Option 2 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #12: Assessment Option 2 (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #13: Composition Scoring Tool (.pdf)
- Resource Sheet #14: Guatemalan Coup Power Point (.pptx)
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Was it all about the bananas—or the fear of a communist threat? Young historians use a history lab to examine documents from the American-led 1954 Guatemalan coup. Using graphics, government documents, and speeches, they examine the various motives of the American government to interfere in the government of an independent country. Assessment options include applying their understanding to interpret a painting about the moment and to respond to a formal writing prompt.
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CCSS:
Designed
Concepts
Instructional Ideas
- Offer the resource as a case study of Cold War politics
- Use to assess learner application of American foreign policy during the 1950s
Classroom Considerations
- Class members need background knowledge of the Cold War
Pros
- Assessments offer options, including a deeper dive on visual literacy
- Resource profiles a moment in history that often gets short-changed in classes
Cons
- None
Common Core
RH.6-8.1
RH.6-8.2
RH.6-8.3
RH.6-8.4
RH.6-8.5
RH.6-8.6
RH.6-8.7
RH.6-8.8
RH.6-8.9
RH.9-10.1
RH.9-10.2
RH.9-10.3
RH.9-10.4
RH.9-10.5
RH.9-10.6
RH.9-10.7
RH.9-10.8
RH.9-10.9
RH.11-12.1
RH.11-12.2
RH.11-12.3
RH.11-12.4
RH.11-12.5
RH.11-12.6
RH.11-12.7
RH.11-12.8
RH.11-12.9
WHST.6-8.1.b
WHST.6-8.4
WHST.9-10.1.b
WHST.9-10.4
WHST.11-12.1.b
WHST.11-12.4