THE COLD WAR
This is a sub-unit of the political ideologies unit. We will now look at what can happen globally when the supporters of liberalism (the USA) and opponents to liberalism (the USSR) clash.
LESSON ONE - THE START OF THE COLD WAR
1st VIDEO LINK (Intro to the Cold War)
We Didn't Start the Fire - Wikipedia overview of all of the events relating to the song.
We Didn't Start the Fire - Wikipedia overview of all of the events relating to the song.
LESSON TWO - EXPANSIONISM AND CONTAINMENT
2nd Video Link (Expansionism and Containment)
Expansionism: a political and military policy of taking over additional territory through the violation of another country's sovereignty, for reasons that can include defence, access to resources or markets, national pride, or perceived racial superiority.
Containment: the U.S. Cold War foreign policy of stopping the spread of communism by establishing strategic allies around the world through trade and military alliances.
LESSON THREE - PROXY WARS
3rd Video Link (Proxy Wars)
Proxy Wars: a war in which the Cold War superpowers (the United States and the Soviet Union) supported opposing sides or fought directly against the side supported by the rival superpower.
Some other resources:
LESSON FOUR - DETERRENCE and BRINKMANSHIP
4th Video Link (Deterrence and Brinkmanship)
Deterrence: the Cold War foreign policy of both major powers aiming to deter the military advances of the other through developing and building up arms, especially nuclear weapons. Deterrence depends on each side creating the perception that it is willing to use its weapons.
Brinkmanship: international behaviour or foreign policy that takes a country to the brink of war; pushing one's demands to the point of threatening military action (for example, the showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union over Cuba in October 1962).
Additional Resources:
- Movie: Thirteen Days (starring Kevin Costner). Be advised
- A video showing the number of nuclear explosions around the world
LESSON FIVE - LIBERATION MOVEMENTS
5th Video Link (Liberation Movements)
Liberation movements: people's military and political struggles for independence from countries that have colonized or otherwise oppressed them ( for example, people in Eastern European countries liberating themselves from Soviet communist control).
LESSON SIX - DÉTENTE
6th Video Link (Détente)
Détente: a period of the Cold War from the mid 1960's to 1979, during which the major powers tried to lessen the tensions between them through diplomacy, treaties, arms talks and reductions, and cultural exchanges.
Some other resources
ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES
- A great documentary series on the role of propaganda during the Cold War - Love, Hate & Propaganda
- Student project explaining Kent State
- Charlie Wilson's War - is probably the best movie I've seen explaining US tactics to covertly contain communism and impose liberalism around the world. It focuses on the true story of a US Congressman who gets the US involved in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
- Forrest Gump - Yes, it may seem goofy but this movie covers many of the key events during the Cold War.
- Cuban Missile Crisis Summary
- Here is a website that summarizes the Cold War and also provides study flash cards and quizzes. You may have to create a free account: https://www.boundless.com/#courses/History/27/4
- http://www.brentnell.org/home/ib30/ib-30-unit-2-cold-war