Unit 5:

Cold War and Civil Rights

Unit Goals

Guiding Questions

- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the key events, themes, and developments in modern U.S. history from 1945-1989
- Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to interpret historical events and draw connections between them.
- Students will critically evaluate the impact of major social, political, economic, and cultural changes in modern U.S. history during the Cold War era.
- Students will compare and contrast different historical perspectives on significant events, movements, and figures.
- Students will effectively synthesize information gathered from multiple sources to support their historical interpretations and arguments.
- Students will communicate their historical understanding and analysis effectively through oral presentations, written essays, and/or multimedia projects.
- Students will engage in respectful and constructive discussions with peers, sharing and defending their interpretations of historical events and themes.
- Students will explore the global context of modern U.S. history, including America's role in international conflicts, alliances, and diplomatic relations.
- Students will examine the impact of globalization on U.S. society and the interconnectedness of global events with domestic developments.
- Students will reflect on the ways in which historical events have shaped contemporary issues and debates in American society.
- Students will explore their roles as informed and active citizens, understanding the importance of civic participation and social responsibility in a democratic society.
- Students will develop skills in historical inquiry, asking meaningful questions about the past and seeking evidence-based answers.
- Students will reflect on the relevance of historical knowledge and understanding in addressing present-day challenges and shaping the future of the United States.

Is the United States a just society and how has the concept of justice evolved over time?

Which strategies proved to be the most effective in bringing about change throughout the Civil Rights movement?

Standards Alignment

US.His.1.f. Evaluate how the Korean and Vietnam Wars were products of the geopolitical contexts of the Cold War.

His.5.US.a. Analyze how heightened tensions and misinformation about threats to democratic values led to widespread civil rights violations (e.g., House Un-American Activities Committee, Lavender Scare, Second Red Scare, televised news).

US.His.5.b. Analyze the role of popular culture, subculture, and counterculture in shaping public perception of national identity during the post-World War II era (e.g., Beat Generation, Rock and Roll, Motown, Jazz, Hippies, television sitcoms, Hollywood films).

His.11.US.a. Determine the usefulness of historical sources to support an inquiry about the causes, conflicts, escalation, and public reaction to the Vietnam War based on their maker, origin, intended audience, and purpose (e.g., art, ephemera, film, government reports, media, music).

His.14.US.d. Analyze the impact of policies and military interventions during the Cold War (brinkmanship, containment, detente).

US.Eco.13.a. Explain why investments in infrastructure and industry expanded consumer culture and increased standards of living in the United States (e.g., housing access, mass production, urbanization, utilities).

US.His.14.e. Evaluate the impact of foreign policy and military intervention in upholding the United States’ founding ideals during the Cold War (e.g., Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Warsaw Pact, Korea, Cuba, Chile, Vietnam).

US.His.15.a. Identify both long term causes and triggering events to develop historical arguments about efforts to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement (e.g., Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Black Panther Party, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, American Jewish Congress, American Indian Movement, United Farm Workers, Congress of Racial Equality).

US.His.16.e. Develop a reasoned argument about the role of the United States government in providing access to fair and open housing using multiple relevant sources (e.g., Federal Housing Administration, Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, Levittown, redlining, Interstate Highway System).

Civ.5.US.b. Evaluate the effectiveness of individuals, groups, and institutions in addressing issues of civil rights and justice in the postwar era (e.g., disability, education, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, poverty, racial and gender equity, voting access).

Civ.5.US.c. Analyze the role of postwar legislative and judicial decisions in expanding or limiting civil liberties.