Foreign Policy
Unit Description: Following WWII, a new kind of struggle developed. As the Soviet Union sought to expand its influence around the world, the United States tried to protect non-communist governments. Tensions during the Cold War led to several crises and military conflicts. For more than 40 years, the Cold War divided the world into opposing camps.
Stage 1- Desired Results
Essential Questions
Enduring Understandings
Students understand that...
The period after World War II has been characterized by an ideological and political struggle, first between the United States and communism during the Cold War, then between the United States and forces of instability in the Middle East. Increased economic interdependence and competition, as well as environmental concerns, are challenges faced by the United States.
Common Core Standards and Performance Indicators:
(Standards: 1, 2, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, GEO, ECO, EXCH)
Knowledge
Students know that...
Skills
Students will be able to...
8.7a The Cold War was an ongoing struggle between the two nuclear superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War shaped the reconstruction of national boundaries and political alliances across the globe.
8.7b The United States based its military and diplomatic policies from 1945 to 1990 on a policy of containment of communism.
8.7c Following the end of the Cold War, the United States sought to define a new role in global affairs, but the legacies of Cold War actions continue to affect United States foreign policy today.
8.7d Terrorist groups not representing any nation entered and reshaped global military and political alliances and conflicts. American foreign and domestic policies responded to terrorism in a variety of ways.
8.7e Increased globalization has led to increased economic interdependence and competition.
Key Terms
Students will locate on a map the nations that were aligned with the United States, those aligned with the Soviet Union, and the non-aligned nations.
Students will examine the term nuclear superpower and the threat of nuclear weapons as a cause and as an effect of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Students will examine the policy of containment and its application in the postwar period, including the Marshall Plan, the Korean War, the Cuban missile crisis, and the Vietnam War.
Students will examine the changing relationships between the United States and foreign countries such as
China beginning in 1950
Afghanistan beginning in the 1980s
Russia beginning in 1990
Middle East (Israel, Palestine, Iran, Kuwait, Iraq)
Countries in the Western Hemisphere, focusing on NAFTA, Cuba and Mexico
European Union countries
Students will examine the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, its effects on national security and the United States responses to it, including the USA Patriot Act, the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, the War on Terror, and military attacks on suspected terrorist locations
Students will examine the increased economic interdependence in terms of globalization and its impact on the United States and New York State economy, including the workforce.
Students will examine the roles of multinational corporations and their influence on the world economy.
Stage 2- Assessment Evidence
Performance Task
Other Evidence
DBQ - Students analyze 8 documents to compare/contrast how the US changed between 1950 and 2000 culminating in a well thought out essay responding to the essential question: How has the US changed since 1950? (Pages 77-81)
DBQ - Students will analyze eight documents to understand what the Cold War was cumulating in a three point essay explaining the time period. (Pages 20-23)
CRQ - Students will analyze a political cartoon depicting Vietnam and the Great Society. (Page 15)
CRQ - Students will analyze an outline comparing US-Cuban relations before and after WWII. (Page 13)
CRQ - Students will analyze a political cartoon depicting the different points of view on the home front regarding the war in Vietnam. (Page 13)
8.7 CRQ-Cold War
8.7 MCQ-Cold War
Cold War Responsibility- Students will analyze four documents and respond to guiding questions regarding the Cold War. Based on the documents, the students will form a hypothesis and written assignment responding to the central question: Who was primarily responsible for the Cold War - the US or the USSR? PowerPoint
Cold War Lesson Plan- multiple assignments using map, charts, text to study Cold War with focus on Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Foreign Policy and the Cold War - Students are provided with a background information sheet over viewing key points of the Cold War. (Pages 26-29)
Debate - Students will read four accounts from Vietnam veterans and role-play a debate of the times between Vietnam Hawks and Doves. (Pages 38-39)
The Great Society Programs - Students will identify the main provisions of Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs and evaluate the effectiveness of each. (Page 53)
Patriotism vs. Public Hysteria - Students will analyze four accounts regarding McCarthyism and complete a graphic organizer depicting three different points of view. Students then respond to the question: At what point does patriotism go too far? (Pages 36-40)
US in the Middle East - Students analyze and evaluate multiple perceptions held by the Muslim Middle East today regarding US foreign policy
September 11, 2001 - Students will study a photograph from September 11th and write a cinquain.
Stage 3- Related Lessons
Lesson Plans and Content
Videos, Documents, and Resources
JFK Inaugural Address
Korean War - Students analyze excerpts from two different textbooks (North and South Korea) to respond to the central question: Who started the Korean War? PowerPoint
Gulf of Tonkin & Vietnam War - Students will analyze four documents and respond to accompanying questions culminating in a written response to the central question: Was the US planning to go to war with Vietnam prior to August 1964?
Cuban Missile Crisis - Students will analyze three documents and respond to the accompanying questions in order to respond to the central question: Why did Russia pull their missiles out of Cuba?
Atomic Bomb, Two Perspectives - Students will read two historical narratives and analyze five documents regarding the dropping of the atomic bomb. Students will compare and contrast Japanese and American perspectives culminating in students selecting an image to represent the dropping of the atomic bomb on the United Nations website. Images
Anti Vietnam Movement - Students will analyze an Anti-Vietnam War timeline and two documents to respond to the central question: Why did many Americans oppose the Vietnam War? Graphic Organizers
Cold War/Korean and Vietnam Wars- multiple assignments using map, charts, text to study Cold War with focus on Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Interactive Video Maps - Military Alliances in Europe 1949-91; The Berlin Crisis 1948-49; The Korean War 1950-53; The Cuban Missile Crisis; The Construction of the Berlin Wall; The Vietnam War
September 11, 2001 - 9/11 Memorial and Museum; lessons, videos, articles, photos
Red Scare/McCarthyism Political Cartoons- series of cartoons with explanations
Suggestions for Diverse Learners:
Brain Pop - 9/11
Flocabulary - The Cold War ; 9/11