Activity 1 - Which Cold War nation?

  1. Define - This part of the unit requires you to examine the economic, social and cultural impact of the Cold War on nations. With a partner, brainstorm what the terms economic, social and cultural mean. What aspects of a nation would we need to investigate to explore these categories?
  2. Select - Pick two Cold War nations, each from a different region. Try selecting from the options on this worksheet, or one of the options presented below:
    1. USA
    2. USSR
    3. PRC
    4. Vietnam
    5. Germany
    6. Cuba
  3. Discuss - Which two nations would be the easiest to revise? Which two options overlap with your other IB History units and topics the most?

Activity 2 - How was the US impacted?

  1. Record - Use the table on this worksheet to help you record you research into how both of your nations were impacted by the Cold War. 
  2. Examine - In groups, complete the tasks on this worksheet to help you explore the impact of the Cold War on the USA. As you read through and complete each task, record key information and facts onto your comparison worksheets. 
  3. Discuss - Which aspect of the USA was most impacted by the Cold War - the economy, society or culture?

Activity 3 - How was the USSR impacted?

  1. Record - Use the table on this worksheet to help you record you research into how both of your nations were impacted by the Cold War. 
  2. ​Examine - Complete the tasks on this worksheet to help you explore the impact of the Cold War on the USSR. As you read through and complete each task, record key information and facts onto your comparison worksheets. 
  3. Discuss - Which aspect of the USSR was most impacted by the Cold War - the economy, society or culture?

Activity 4 - How can we compare?

  1. Compare - Complete the last table on your worksheets by reviewing the similarities and differences between the economic, social and cultural impacts on both of your nations. 
  2. Discuss - What were the main similarities, and main differences, between how both nations were impacted? What accounts for those similarities or differences?
  3. Review - Remind yourselves of the tips here and here for writing comparative historical essays. What structure would you use if you had to write a compare and contrast essay?
  4. Plan - Try creating an essay plan for one of the following essay questions. Consider the comparative structure you would use, and what you would argue in each paragraph:
    1. Examine the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region - Nov 2020
    2. Evaluate the impact of Cold War tensions on two ​countries (excluding the USSR and the US) - May 2017

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Edward, O. (2011). The USA and the Cold War, 1945-63, pp. 142-165
  2. Lynch, M. (2010). Stalin's Russia 1924-53 - Access to History
RECOMMENDED READING
  1. Lee, S.J. (1999). Stalin and the Soviet Union
  2. Sanders, V. (2008). Politics, Presidency and Society, 1968-2001
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Sanders, V. (2012). The Cold War and the Americas 1945-1981 - Access to History for IBDP
  2. Todd, A. (2012). The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, 1924-2000
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