By the end of this unit, you must be comfortable with the following syllabus points:
Key Questions:
• Why did the USA–USSR alliance begin to break down in 1945? • How had the USSR gained control of Eastern Europe by 1948? • How did the USA react to Soviet expansionism? • What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade? • Who was the more to blame for starting the Cold War: the USA or the USSR? |
Specified Content:
The origins of the Cold War: – the 1945 summit conferences and the breakdown of the USA–USSR alliance in 1945–46: – Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe to 1948, and American reactions to it – the occupation of Germany and the Berlin Blockade – NATO and the Warsaw Pact. |
1. Background: Why was there tension between the USA and the USSR before 1945?
Your teacher will work through this presentation with you. Open the note taking frame by clicking on the icon below and make your own copy of it. You will use it for the next two lessons.
Starter: Have a look through the presentation below. Create a hypothesis. What were the main differences / causes of conflict between the ideologies of communism and capitalism.
a) Conflicting ideologies - what is the difference between capitalism and communism?
1. Play the Rock Paper Scissors Game
Click on the image for rules and set up Reflect: What did you learn about the two ideologies from this game? Follow up with this card sort. Students also have to add some of their own ideas. 2. Complete the ideological differences part of the table |
b) Going deeper: Use the resources below to find out more about why there was such tension by 1945
Make some brief notes while you watch the documentary using the question sheet to help you.
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Use it to complete the rest of your table - use pages 66-67 of the orange book to help you.
Exam Question:
WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH TENSION BETWEEN THE USA AND THE USSR BY 1941?
Exam Question:
WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH TENSION BETWEEN THE USA AND THE USSR BY 1941?
2. How did the Wartime Conferences of 1945 contribute to the increased tension?
I) Yalta Conference
1. Discussion
Review the photo you have been given. Write a newspaper headline to go with it - it should comment on the atmosphere at the conference |
2. Yalta Simulation
a) Click Here for link to the Yalta Simulation Log In and Password are: nlcsjejuhistory b) Click on the icon below and make a copy of the worksheet to share with your partner |
3.
ii) Potsdam Conference
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gPfu-rjVnaBGXgABtmpZW1ff2HSxhXSBFOYcYEUuDeM/edit#slide=id.p
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDvyFCrrK-C249KJrY60yvUOshXYoPUtii_WXLbEVkI/edit
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gPfu-rjVnaBGXgABtmpZW1ff2HSxhXSBFOYcYEUuDeM/edit#slide=id.p
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDvyFCrrK-C249KJrY60yvUOshXYoPUtii_WXLbEVkI/edit