Activity 1 - How did competition unfold?

  1. Examine - Explore and make notes from the Lesson Presentation on the main changes in the Cold War in the Americas. 
  2. Compare - Complete the table on this worksheet by researching the causes, what happened, and the impact on the Cold War of each of the Cold War crises and conflicts that occurred in the Americas during the Cold War.
  3. Discuss - Review your findings. How successful was the US in limiting Soviet influence in the Americas?

Activity 2 - What was the Missile Crisis?

  1. Explore - Study this timeline worksheet about the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis and then answer and discuss the following questions: 
    1. What actions taken by Castro would have convinced the US that he was a communist?
    2. What actions taken by Castro indicate that in fact he may not have been a communist in 1959?
    3. What evidence is there to support the view that the US helped push Castro into a relationship with the USSR?
  2. Watch - Watch this video documentary about the Cuban Missile Crisis and answer the following questions to help you learn about the crisis:
    1. What actions did Castro take which upset the Americans?
    2. How did the Americans retaliate?
    3. Why did Castro turn to the Soviets for help? How did the Soviets respond to this?
    4. Why did Kennedy agree to the CIA invasion of Cuba?
    5. How did Kennedy alter the plans?
    6. Why did the operation fail?
    7. What was the impact of this failure?
    8. What actions did the CIA now take?
    9. What factors encouraged Khrushchev to decide to put missiles into Cuba?
    10. Why was the discovery of these missiles so unacceptable to the US?
    11. What were the options that the US discussed in ExComm to deal with the missiles?
  3. Examine - Now watch this excerpt from Robert McNamara's excellent Fog of War documentary.
    1. What are your reactions to the discussions that took place in ExComm?
    2. How was the crisis resolved according to McNamara?
    3. Who should get the credit for the resolution?
    4. What are your thoughts about the first telegram that Khrushchev sent to Kennedy?
  4. Create - Using pages 121-126 of your Cold War textbooks, create a one-page summary in your notes outlining the following information about your Cold War crisis:
    1. Key details of your crisis - Name of the crisis and dates of it
    2. Causes of the crisis - main causes: precondition(s), catalyst(s), trigger
    3. Events of the crisis - the actual event(s) - what happened and when?
    4. Impact of the crisis - on key nations and superpowers
    5. Significance of the crisis - for the course of the CW

Activity 3 - How were nations impacted?

  1. Examine - Using pages 129-136 of Mamaux, A. (2015). Oxford IBDP Programme - The Cold War and any other resources, complete this worksheet by recording details of the political, economic, social, and cultural changes unleashed on Guatemala by the Cold War between 1945-1989. 
  2. Select - Alternatively, select one of the following European nations to examine as part of this case study task:
    1. Cuba and the Cold War
    2. Nicaragua and the Cold War
    3. Chile and the Cold War
    4. Argentina and the Cold War
    5. Brazil and the Cold War
  3. Create - Using your research information, create an infographic outlining how your nation was impacted by the Cold War between 1945-1989. Don’t forget to include details of political, economic, social, and cultural changes.

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Mamaux, A. (2015). Oxford IBDP Programme - The Cold War, pp. 121-126
RECOMMENDED READING
  1. Rogers, K., & Thomas, J. (2015). Pearson Baccalaureate: History the Cold War, pp. 111-125
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Williamson, D.G. (2015). Access to History - The Cold War, pp. 176-186
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