16: 1950s Early Cold War

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Truman Library - NATO Online Research File

This collection focuses on the creation of and United States participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, covering the years 1948-1952. It includes 107 documents totaling 418 pages. Supporting materials include photographs, oral history transcripts, an archival materials guide, and other links.

Truman Library - NATO Online Research File

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: A Political Perspective After 40 Years

from George Washington University

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: A Political Perspective After 40 Years

'The Lonely Crowd,' at 60, Is Still Timely -

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: Documents

Formerly secret documents from U.S., Cuban, Soviet and East Bloc archives.

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: Documents

Hilarious and Surprising Predictions of the Future…From the 1960s! (video) | Singularity Hub

This collection of films made in the early 1960s is worth sharing with students. Although it may not be part of a lesson, it can be shown during class changes. The first video describing how computers could be used in the home is downright spooky in its accuracy. This perfectly accurate prediction of technology 50 years before it happened. The only thing they got wrong was the size of the devices.

Hilarious and Surprising Predictions of the Future…From the 1960s! (video) | Singularity Hub

Nuclear Explosions since 1945

This world map shows the size, location and number of atomic bombs tests since 1945. Students are almost always shocked by the size (2,000+) of the nuclear development programs of the United States and the USSR.

Nuclear Explosions since 1945

JFK, Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights Movement | EDSITEment

The first part of this lesson focuses on the Freedom Riders. It demonstrates the critical role of activists in pushing the Kennedy Administration to face the contradiction between its ideals and the realities of federal politics. In this case, the Kennedy Administration finally acted in defense of individual rights at the risk of offending powerful Southern politicians.

The second activity revisits the famous Birmingham Movement of 1963. It allows students to learn something about the grassroots protests against segregation and exclusion, the reaction of Alabama and Birmingham officials, and President Kennedy's public response-a renewed commitment to civil rights.

JFK, Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights Movement | EDSITEment

The House Un-American Activities Committee | EDSITEment

This lesson will examine the operations of HUAC in the late 1940s. This lesson will ask students to address one fundamental question that is still relevant today: What constitutes an "un-American" activity? In association with that theme, students will determine whether there are some ideas that are so dangerous that even their expression should be limited and whether certain professions-government service, entertainment, education, etc.-are so influential that the personal views of people in them should come under public scrutiny.

The House Un-American Activities Committee | EDSITEment

The Formation of the Western Alliance, 1948-1949 | EDSITEment

This lesson will trace the Berlin blockade and airlift of 1948-49 and the establishment of NATO. Students will read original documents and view photographs of the period to learn why the Soviets sparked this crisis, how the United States responded, and why the NATO alliance was formed.

The Formation of the Western Alliance, 1948-1949 | EDSITEment

Building Suburbia: Highways and Housing in Postwar America | EDSITEment

This lesson highlights the changing relationship between the city center and the suburb in the postwar decades, especially in the 1950s. Students will look at the legislation leading up to and including the Federal Highway Act of 1956. They will also examine documents about the history of Levittown, the most famous and most important of the postwar suburban planned developments

Building Suburbia: Highways and Housing in Postwar America | EDSITEment

Lesson 2: The Strategy of Containment, 1947-1948 | EDSITEment

This lesson will consider containment through the use of original documents, mostly from the Truman Presidential Library. They will study what it meant in theory, and then examine the first two major instances of its application-the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.

Lesson 2: The Strategy of Containment, 1947-1948 | EDSITEment

Lesson 3: The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy | EDSITEment

In this lesson students will learn about McCarthy's crusade against communism, from his bombshell pronouncements in 1950 to his ultimate censure and disgrace in 1954. Through an examination of documents and political cartoons they will study key points in McCarthy's career, with an eye to understanding how his efforts brought American anticommunism to fever pitch, and then into disrepute.

Lesson 3: The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy | EDSITEment

Korean War as a Police Action

EdSitement Lesson plan including 1. The Decision to Intervene in Korea, 2. The Decision to Cross the 38th Parallel, 3. Truman vs. MacArthur, 4. Public Opinion and the Korean War

Korean War as a Police Action

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: The Missiles of October | EDSITEment

This lesson will examine how this crisis developed, how the Kennedy administration chose to respond, and how the situation was ultimately resolved. By examining both government documents and photographs students will put themselves into the role of President Kennedy during this crucial period, considering the advice of key administration figures and deciding on a course of action.

The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: The Missiles of October | EDSITEment

The Freedom Riders and the Popular Music of the Civil Rights Movement | EDSITEment

Through collaborative activities and presentations, students will find the meaning behind the music and compare and contrast the major figures, documents, and events of the day to better understand the political and cultural messages. The first activity of the lesson focuses on the Freedom Riders as a example of the interweaving of protest and music. In the second activity, students participate in an interview-based activity to develop skills in oral history and relate the past to the present. In the remaining activities students will learn to analyze the meanings and messages behind the music and discover how such creative outpourings continue to play a vital role in the struggle for the civil rights.

The Freedom Riders and the Popular Music of the Civil Rights Movement | EDSITEment

Surprises

from Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States"

Surprises

Postwar America: 1945-1960: Digital History

The chapter examines the origins of the Cold War; the implementation of the Containment policy; the Korean War; and fear of Communist subversion at home. It also traces the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement; the emergence of youth culture; and postwar cultural critics, including the Beats.

Postwar America: 1945-1960: Digital History

Berlin Wall Slide Show - Remembering the Divide

In 1961, East Germany erected a wall -- initially barbed wire, eventually concrete -- in the middle of Berlin to prevent its citizens from fleeing the communist country to West Germany during the height of the Cold War. It has been reported that 136 people died while trying to escape, but the total number is unknown. The wall finally came down at the beginning of November in 1989, part of the reunification of East and West Germany. Here are images from this past weekend's recognition of the construction of the wall 50 years ago, as well as historic images

Berlin Wall Slide Show - Remembering the Divide

Nixon vs. Khrushchev - The Kitchen Debate (1959) - YouTube

Excellent primary source video that shows the debate between the US and USSR in the stark terms of a competition between two different sets of ideas. This seven minute video can serve as an effective homework assignment to compliment a lesson that explores that element of the Cold War.

Nixon vs. Khrushchev - The Kitchen Debate (1959) - YouTube

NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein - Nuclear Blast Mapping Tool

Maps nuclear explosions with Google maps, easy to use and interpret. Although it's easy to tell students about nuclear weapons or even show them videos, this tool lets them see exactly what would happen over any city they choose. Have students enter their hometown and describe what other towns near them would have universal injuries or which would lose more than 50% of their buildings. Combine with census records to determine the number of people who would be included in just the fireball alone.

NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein - Nuclear Blast Mapping Tool

Test Me, Maybe - YouTube

The Soviet Union would be proud, watch these elementary students entertain you with their chanting songs of encouragement on how well they are going to do on the test. This is learning as a sport in which you win or lose, rather than learning as a way of life.

Test Me, Maybe - YouTube

The red scare in Montgomery County public schools

Can the firing of one high school teacher make for a worthwhile lesson on the Red Scare? Absolutely. More quality materials from the Center for New History and the Media and Montgomery county schools

In this lesson, students will examine anti-communist investigations of the early 1950s, using the firing of William Hinckley of Montgomery Blair High School as a case study.

The red scare in Montgomery County public schools

CIA Confirms Role in 1953 Iran Coup

Documentary evidence showing the CIA's role in the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953. Not to be taken lightly, this is primary source evidence and probably therefore difficult for most high school students. Nonetheless, that is just what makes it valuable to teachers; there is a reality behind what we teach.

CIA Confirms Role in 1953 Iran Coup

Declassified document: US narrowly escaped nuclear blast in 1961 H-bomb accident - The Washington Post

Sharing this document with students will help them understand that history changes as new evidence comes to light. Conclusions in history are not worth much more than the evidence upon which they are based. This article also shows the extent of the nuclear weapons development program.

Declassified document: US narrowly escaped nuclear blast in 1961 H-bomb accident - The Washington Post

MCPS TAH: Conflict and Consensus » 1950 to Present

Although framed as an introduction to Holden Caufield's world of America in the 1950s, this lesson outlines an approach that uses public information films from the 50s to look at society through their lens. Use the last paragraph as a way to find the best films for this purpose

MCPS TAH: Conflict and Consensus » 1950 to Present

USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer

After choosing a location and looking at a current map, this tool allows provides you with a timeline of maps that you can choose to overlay the map you're looking at. Easy to see the growth of suburban sprawl. Look at what happens to Levittown New York between 1947 and 1955

USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer

Tape One of Vannevar Bush Symposium 1995 - YouTube

Listen to Vannevar Bush get interviewed by Edward R Morrow in 1955 to see how the age of information technology was forecast long before the personal computer and the internet.

Tape One of Vannevar Bush Symposium 1995 - YouTube

A Trojan Seal

This article describes the nature of espionage and spying in the early Cold War by relating the story of a carved wooden plague of the Great Seal of the United States given as a gift by a wealthy Russian to the American Ambassador. Hidden in the ornate woodwork was a listening device - learn how the Americans figured it out.

A Trojan Seal

Scan of Soviet Textbook - English. 1960 г. (фрагменты и djvu-книга)

This is why teaching in the 21st Century absolutely rocks. Simple US History II or World Studies Cold War or Middle School Civics lesson plan. Review this scan of a Soviet children's book teaching English. Read through the sections written and in English and identify the manner in which this textbook reinforce's Soviet values. It would be easy to find the American counterpart

Scan of Soviet Textbook - English. 1960 г. (фрагменты и djvu-книга)

American President: Dwight David Eisenhower: Domestic Affairs

Article from the Miller Center provides broad yet concise overview of domestic policies of the Eisenhower Administration.

American President: Dwight David Eisenhower: Domestic Affairs