20: 1980s America

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Globalizing Protest in the 1980s: Musicians Collaborate to Change the World | AP US History Study Guide from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Perhaps for teachers more than students, this Gilder Lehrman essay describes the advent of #activism without using the twitter symbol. From the first recording of "Do they know it's Christmas" through "We are the world" to the Live Aid concert, political messaging and the people of Africa themselves were virtually absent. Worth reading as inspiration for a lesson that would require refiguring the narrative to fit teenagers' understanding

Globalizing Protest in the 1980s: Musicians Collaborate to Change the World | AP US History Study Guide from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein

Pick a location, see the effect of a nuclear bomb. Students should have a different experience when learning about nuclear war than a teachers words and movies from the 1950s

NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein

THE REAGAN PLAY-BY-PLAY STILL PLAYS - The New York Times

1985 New York Times article explains Ronald Reagan's use of the microphone and speech throughout his career. If teachers and students stumble into a "style over substance" discussion about the presidency, this provides valuable insight into Reagan's ability to communicate what his audiences what to hear

THE REAGAN PLAY-BY-PLAY STILL PLAYS - The New York Times

Federal Individual Tax Rates - History

Raising taxes and cutting taxes are hot topics in recent American history. Students and teachers looking at the 1980s can get a sense of the reality of changing tax rates without the rhetoric through these charts

Federal Individual Tax Rates - History

A History of Alternative Music Brilliantly Mapped Out on a Transistor Radio Circuit Diagram: 300 Punk, Alt & Indie Artists | Open Culture

April 1990 - Video I shot of my typical day of a high school student, 1990 (Video)

This 45 minute video was shot by a high school student in 1990. It includes highlights from the typical day of a high school student at that time, from waking up, watching TV, to going to school. There's a lot of footage of classes, lunch and walking between classes. What can students learn about life at this time from the video? This is a world before cell phones and ear buds. Notice how people react to the camera, which cost $700.

April 1990 - Video I shot of my typical day of a high school student, 1990 (Video)

Ronald Reagan's White House Diary

What better way to open student's eyes to the daily life of the president than to look through is diary. Although it's tempting to just look through the diary, it is even more enlightening to click on the "White House Schedule" link associated with every day to see the official record of the president's day

Ronald Reagan's White House Diary

The U.S.S.R. and U.S. Came Closer to Nuclear War Than We Thought

This article explains how declassified documents show how US and NATO military exercises in late 1983 were seen by Soviets as prelude to a preemptive strike against the Soviet Union. THough the Cuban Missile crisis is commonly taught to students as the closest the world came to nuclear war, this episode in 1983 shows different

The U.S.S.R. and U.S. Came Closer to Nuclear War Than We Thought

Address to the Nation on Iran-Contra (March 4, 1987)-Miller Center

Although the Iran-Contra, arms for hostages deal of the Reagan administration can be used as a lesson itself, there is one sentence that could be used as part of a critical thinking lesson. "A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not."

Address to the Nation on Iran-Contra (March 4, 1987)-Miller Center

United States Treaties in Force, 2013

This State Department Publication includes over 500 pages of treaties the United States is party to in 2013. Not only does this demonstrate the vast connections of globalization, but it shows students the complex nature and intricate detail involved in international relations. Every social studies student, at some point in high school, should have to scroll through this document. Lend-lease treaties are still on the books, the USSR is still here - intellectual property, amatuer radio, seismic activity measring stations, shipping, copyright - there's almost no end to the detail.

United States Treaties in Force, 2013

BBC NEWS | Europe | How a blunder finished off the Wall

Yet another item to add the the "Fact is stranger than fiction file" - the opening of the Berlin Wall at the end of the Cold War was sparked by a mis- statement at a press conference. This BBC article includes video of the press conference itself and interviews with the Sec of State and Mikhail Gorbachev.

BBC NEWS | Europe | How a blunder finished off the Wall

Reagan Lesson Plans | The History Rat

Although this history teacher admits his agenda, his lesson plans and approach to teaching the early 80s around Ronald Reagan show teachers a way to tackle the era.

Reagan Lesson Plans | The History Rat

Iran Contra Affair - Resources for Teachers

Resources, primary documents and worksheet summaries that can be used alone as quick "stand-alone" activities or to support other lessons

Iran Contra Affair - Resources for Teachers

HERB: Resources for Teachers | The C.I.A. Advises Nicaraguans How to Sabotage the Sandinista Government

The C.I.A. airdropped thousands of these 15-page illustrated manuals telling "Nicaraguans who love their country and cherish freedom" how they could sabotage the Sandinista-led government. The leftist Sandinistas had overthrown a military dictatorship in 1979; the U.S. supported rightwing Contras in their efforts to remove the Sandinistas from power. A Contra fighter in Honduras, where the C.I.A. based its anti-Sandinista efforts, gave a copy of the manual to a reporter in 1984.

HERB: Resources for Teachers | The C.I.A. Advises Nicaraguans How to Sabotage the Sandinista Government

Was Oliver North a Patriot, a Pawn, or an Outlaw? - Primary Document Lesson

Was Oliver North acting as a patriot, a pawn or an outlaw? This lesson built on the History Labs model of UMBC has students digging into primary documents to answer this question. Spice this up with some video from his testimony then top the lesson off at the end by showing students what his career is like now.

Was Oliver North a Patriot, a Pawn, or an Outlaw? - Primary Document Lesson

Decoding U.S. Foreign Policy: The Iran-Contra Affair | Teachinghistory.org

This lesson, part of the HERB collection at the American Social History Project, allows students to examine a series of primary source documents related to the Iran-Contra Affair and discuss the central issues surrounding these events. In addition to great background information for the teacher, there is a useful timeline and graphic organizer that help students access the content.

Decoding U.S. Foreign Policy: The Iran-Contra Affair | Teachinghistory.org

Ronald Reagan launched political career using the Berkeley campus as a political target

All too often we look at historical figures out of the context of their entire lives. Ronald Reagan's experience as Governor of California say as much, if not more, about him and history than his experience as president.

Ronald Reagan launched political career using the Berkeley campus as a political target

Understanding the Iran-Contra Affairs

With primary and secondary documents and analysis, this site from Brown University provides a comprehensive look at the Iran-Contra Affairs, but it provides a framework for thinking about other government controversies too.

Understanding the Iran-Contra Affairs

John Paul II : The New Yorker

More for teachers than students, this article explains the role of John Paul II in the end of the Cold War. All too often, survey courses ignore the deep catalog of developments, people and events that together drive history. Perhaps a spot lesson on the role of an individual, or perhaps an insight into the internecine machinations of both sides of the Cold War. Was the US behind the election of a Polish Pope? Was the May, 1981 assassination attempt ordered by the Soviets?

John Paul II : The New Yorker

How much should the nation invest in defense?

Great debate series. Two short readings with comprehension and critical thinking questions. Ronald Reagan speech in 1983 compares with the Center for Defense Information's "The Need for a Level Military Budget"

How much should the nation invest in defense?

Metallica - Enter sandman (live in Moscow 1991) HD - YouTube

This is what is looks like when communism falls. Mikhail Gorbachev asked Metallica, AC/DC the Black Crowes to perform in the Soviet Union and perhaps as 1.5 million fans crammed into the Tushino airfield to rock in one of the largest concerts of all time. Although official estimates put the crowd at somewhere around 800,000, the seething sea of human emotion is awe inspiring.

Metallica - Enter sandman (live in Moscow 1991) HD - YouTube

Teaching Reagan: Constructing a Unit Based on Argument

Entire unit plan

Teaching Reagan: Constructing a Unit Based on Argument

A History Blueprint Cold War Unit - Updates in Historiography

Notes about the changing nature of Cold War historiography and how it affects teaching the Cold War. World Studies already has this - does US History?

A History Blueprint Cold War Unit - Updates in Historiography

The Coming Revolt of the Guards

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

The Coming Revolt of the Guards

The 2000 Election and the "War on Terrorism"

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

The 2000 Election and the "War on Terrorism"

Everything You Think You Know About the Collapse of the Soviet Union Is Wrong

Article attempts to explain why the collapse of the Soviet Union was such a surprise to the West, from Foreign Policy magazine.

Everything You Think You Know About the Collapse of the Soviet Union Is Wrong

The Living Room Candidate - Commercials - 1980

The site includes a searchable database of television commercials and features commentary, historical background, election results, and navigation organized by year, type of ad, and issue

The Living Room Candidate - Commercials - 1980