unit 11 cold war

Open Ended

Imagine two powerful rivals competing to be the best. They don't fight directly with armies, but they try to beat each other in every other way—sports, science, technology, and influence over friends. What kind of problems or dangers could this intense, indirect rivalry create for the rest of the world?

If the entire world were divided into two main groups, each believing its way of life and government is the only correct one, how would they convince smaller, undecided countries to join their side?

What was the Cold War?

• Definition: A state of political hostility and tension between the United States (Capitalism) and the Soviet Union (Communism).

• Why was it "Cold"? It was called "Cold" because there was no direct large-scale fighting (a "Hot" war) between the two superpowers.

• The Global Split: The world was divided into the "Western Bloc" (democracy) and the "Eastern Bloc" (communism).

East vs West

The Ideological Conflict

• USA: Supported Capitalism (private ownership) and Democracy (voting/freedom).

• USSR: Supported Communism (government ownership) and Totalitarianism (one-party control).

• Containment: The U.S. policy dedicated to stopping the spread of Communism wherever it tried to go.

• The Iron Curtain: A symbolic "wall" described by Winston Churchill that separated East and West Europe.

Key Players (The Leaders)

• United States:

  • Harry Truman: Started the "Containment" policy.

  • John F. Kennedy: Led during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  • Ronald Reagan: Known for his "Tear down this wall" speech.

• Soviet Union (USSR):

  • Joseph Stalin: Early Cold War leader who secured Eastern Europe.

  • Nikita Khrushchev: Squared off against JFK.

  • Mikhail Gorbachev: The final leader whose reforms led to the end of the USSR.

The Impact: Proxy Wars & Space

• Proxy Wars: Conflicts where the superpowers supported opposite sides but didn't fight each other directly (e.g., Korean War and Vietnam War).

• The Space Race: A competition to prove scientific superiority, leading to the launch of Sputnik (USSR) and the Moon Landing (USA).

• Espionage: Both sides used the CIA and KGB to spy and influence foreign governments.

Relevance Today

• NATO: The military alliance created during the Cold War still exists today.

• Nuclear Weapons: The "Arms Race" left a legacy of nuclear stockpiles that world leaders still negotiate today.

• Modern Rivalries: Tensions with modern-day Russia and China often echo the ideological "East vs. West" divide of the Cold War.

• Technology: GPS and satellite tech were born out of Cold War military research.

Open Ended

What is the Cold War primarily characterized by?

A. Open warfare between countries
B. Economic cooperation
C. Ideological struggle between states
D. Global colonization

Which ideology emphasizes free markets and citizen participation?

A. Communism
B. Democratic capitalism
C. Fascism
D. Socialism

Why did the US and Soviet Union distrust each other after WWII?

A. They competed for colonies in Africa
B. The USSR kept Eastern Europe under control despite agreements
C. The US refused to rebuild Europe
D. Both signed a nuclear disarmament treaty

How did decolonization intersect with the Cold War?

A. New states immediately joined the UN
B. Superpowers competed to influence newly independent nations
C. Colonies became part of the Soviet Union
D. Decolonization ended Cold War tensions

What was the purpose of the Non-Aligned Movement?

A. To join the Soviet bloc
B. To stay independent of Cold War rivalry
C. To colonize neighboring states
D. To support the US military

Multiple Choice

Which two superpowers were the primary adversaries during the Cold War?

• Japan and Brazil
• United States and Soviet Union
• France and Germany
• China and India

Open Ended

Look closely at the two figures and the objects surrounding them. Based on their expressions, their actions, and the background, what do you think is the biggest 'risk' or danger being shown in this cartoon? Support your answer with one specific detail from the image.

The Nuclear Arms Race: A Race for Survival

• Definition: A competition between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR) for nuclear weapon superiority.

• Timeline: Roughly 1945 (End of WWII) to 1991 (Fall of USSR).

• The Big Question: How do you win a war that nobody can survive?

From Atomic to Hydrogen

Key Milestones:

• 1945: U.S. drops atomic bombs on Japan; becomes the world’s only nuclear power.

• 1949: The Soviet Union successfully tests their first atomic bomb, ending the U.S. monopoly.

• 1952: The U.S. develops the Hydrogen Bomb (H-Bomb)—1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

• 1953: The Soviets test their own H-bomb just one year later.

See the difference?

Living Under the Cloud of "M.A.D."

Key Concepts:

• Deterrence: Building so many weapons that your enemy is too afraid to attack.

• M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction): The doctrine that if one side launched a nuclear attack, the other would retaliate, resulting in the total destruction of both nations.

• ICBMs: Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles allowed nukes to be launched from one continent to another in minutes.

ICBM

The Logic of MAD (Why It Became a Thing)

Concept	The Cold War Reality
First Strike: The idea that one country could launch a nuclear attack and wipe out the enemy before they could respond.	By the late 1950s, the development of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) and nuclear submarines made a successful first strike impossible.
Second Strike: The ability to absorb a nuclear attack and still launch a devastating counter-attack.	Because both the US and USSR could guarantee a devastating second strike, they both lived under the doctrine of MAD.
M.A.D. (Mutual Assured Destruction)	This was the dark, cynical logic that kept the peace: Neither side would attack because they knew their own nation would be instantly and completely destroyed in return. It created a constant state of fear, or "nuclear deterrence."

Open Ended

What event brought the world closest to nuclear war during the Cold War?
A. Bay of Pigs Invasion
B. Berlin Airlift
C. Cuban Missile Crisis
D. Korean War

Why did the Soviet Union place missiles in Cuba?
A. To prepare an invasion of the U.S.
B. To protect Cuba and counter U.S. missiles in Turkey and Italy
C. To expand trade with Cuba
D. To punish the U.S. for the Bay of Pigs

Why did President Kennedy call the naval blockade a “quarantine”?
A. To avoid involving the UN
B. To allow food and medicine through
C. To prevent it from being seen as an act of war
D. To confuse the Soviets

How did Vasili Arkhipov’s decision affect the crisis?
A. It led to U.S. withdrawal
B. It delayed negotiations
C. It prevented a nuclear torpedo launch
D. It escalated military conflict

What lesson did the Cuban Missile Crisis reveal about nuclear weapons?
A. They guarantee peace
B. They are easy to control
C. Small decisions can have global consequences
D. Diplomacy is unnecessary

Cuban Missile Crisis

Limiting the Spread (Arms Control)

• Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963): Banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space.

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT, 1968): An agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear technology to non-nuclear nations.

• SALT I (1972): The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks—the first time the superpowers agreed to limit the number of missiles they could have.

Multiple Choice

Explain the arms race, include: development of nuclear weapons, and efforts to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.

• The arms race was solely about conventional weapons development.
• The arms race ended with the complete disarmament of all nuclear weapons.
• The arms race involved the development of nuclear weapons by the US and USSR, leading to treaties like the NPT to limit their spread.
• Nuclear weapons were only developed by European countries.

Open Ended

Imagine a piece of land is considered a sacred or ancestral homeland by two different groups of people, both of whom have lived there at different times over thousands of years. After a major global conflict, an outside authority (like an international organization) decides to divide that land to create a new country for one of the groups.

What is the single biggest problem created by this decision, and why would this solution immediately lead to conflict rather than peace?

Scenario:

Imagine a large, valuable piece of land that is claimed by two different groups, Group A and Group B.

• Group A says: "This is our ancestral and spiritual homeland. We were forced out long ago, and we have been persecuted everywhere else. We need this land to survive as a people."

• Group B says: "This land is our home right now. Our families have lived here for hundreds of years, built communities, and paid taxes. We have nowhere else to go."

An outside, powerful international body has decided they must divide the land to solve the problem.

Poll

What is the fairest solution, and what is the immediate, biggest consequence of choosing that solution?

• Give all the land to Group A (The persecuted group)

• Give all the land to Group B (The current residents)

• Divide the land into two smaller countries, one for each group

• Have both groups share the entire territory under a single government

Origins and the Zionist Movement

• The Concept: Zionism was the movement for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine (their ancestral home).

• The Impact of WWII: Following the Holocaust, there was massive international support and pressure to create a safe haven for Jewish survivors.

• The British Mandate: After WWI, Great Britain controlled Palestine but struggled to manage the growing tensions between Jewish settlers and Arab residents.

The 1947 UN Partition Plan

• The Solution: The United Nations (UN) proposed a Partition Plan in 1947.

• The Plan: It divided the land into two independent states: one Jewish and one Arab. Jerusalem was to be an "international city."

• The Reaction:

  • Jewish leaders accepted the plan.

  • Arab leaders rejected the plan, arguing it violated the rights of the majority Arab population living there.

1948: Independence and the First War

• The Birth of a State: On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was officially declared.

• The Conflict Begins: The very next day, five Arab nations (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon) invaded Israel.

• The Outcome: Israel won the war and expanded its territory beyond the original UN borders.

• The Refugee Crisis: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes, becoming refugees in what is known as the Nakba (Catastrophe).

Major Conflicts: 1967 and 1973

• The Six-Day War (1967): In a lightning-fast conflict, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.

• The Yom Kippur War (1973): Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel’s holiest day. Israel eventually pushed them back, but the war led to global oil crises.

• The "Occupied Territories": The 1967 war created a long-term issue regarding who has the right to govern the West Bank and Gaza.

The Search for Peace

• Camp David Accords (1978): A historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel.

• Oslo Accords (1993): An attempt to create "Land for Peace," giving Palestinians limited self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza.

• Current Status: The conflict remains a major global issue today, centered on borders, the status of Jerusalem, and the "Two-State Solution."

Open Ended

1. What main factor drives the modern Israel–Palestine conflict?
   A) Ancient religious differences
   B) Competition over land and nationalisms
   C) Disputes about prophets
   D) Language barriers

2. Which movement urged Jews to create a national homeland in the late 19th century?
   A) Pan‑Arabism
   B) Zionism
   C) Ottomanism
   D) Socialism

3. Which happened after the 1948 Arab‑Israeli War?
   A) UN plan implemented
   B) Over 700,000 Palestinians became refugees
   C) Israel lost land to Egypt
   D) Jerusalem became solely Palestinian

4. Why did British "divide and rule" raise tensions?
   A) It unified communities
   B) It set up separate institutions, hindering cooperation
   C) It granted independence
   D) It stopped Jewish immigration

5. Which framework called for Israeli withdrawal after 1967 and mutual recognition?
   A) Balfour Declaration
   B) UN Resolution 242
   C) Oslo Accords
   D) White Paper

Multiple Choice

Describe the formation of the state of Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

• Israel was formed as a result of World War I and the Ottoman Empire's collapse.
• The state of Israel was formed in 1948, leading to the Arab-Israeli conflict due to territorial disputes and national identity issues.
• The state of Israel was established in 1967 after the Six-Day War.
• The Arab-Israeli conflict began in the 19th century over trade routes.

Open Ended

Imagine your country has been ruled by a powerful foreign government for several generations. This foreign power controls your resources, dictates your laws, and often treats your local culture as inferior.

If you were a young person living under this foreign rule, what three specific things would most likely make you feel a powerful sense of nationalism (pride in your own people and culture) and inspire you to join a revolutionary movement to demand independence?

Scenario

Imagine your country has been under the rule of a rich, powerful foreign nation for 75 years. This foreign power built some infrastructure (roads, schools) but also took all your best resources and made your people feel like second-class citizens in their own land.

Two different groups are fighting for independence:

• Group 1: The Non-Violent Path. They organize massive peaceful protests, boycotts of foreign goods, and civil disobedience (refusing to follow unjust laws). This will take 30 years to achieve freedom.

• Group 2: The Violent Path. They launch armed guerrilla attacks and full-scale rebellion against the foreign military. This will achieve freedom in 5 years, but cost thousands of lives.

Poll

Which path to independence—the long, peaceful path or the short, violent path—would you support, and what is the biggest ethical or strategic reason for your choice?

• Group 1: The Non-Violent Path. They organize massive peaceful protests, boycotts of foreign goods, and civil disobedience (refusing to follow unjust laws). This will take 30 years to achieve freedom.

• Group 2: The Violent Path. They launch armed guerrilla attacks and full-scale rebellion against the foreign military. This will achieve freedom in 5 years, but cost thousands of lives.

Open Ended

1. What followed India’s 1947 independence?
   A) Peaceful transfer
   B) Large, violent migration
   C) British reconquest
   D) Unified South Asia

2. What did the British use to draw borders?
   A) Accurate maps only
   B) Outdated maps, census errors, limited knowledge
   C) Local votes
   D) Princely rulers' decisions

3. Who argued for Pakistan?
   A) Gandhi
   B) Nehru
   C) Jinnah
   D) The viceroy

4. Why did princely states lose sovereignty?
   A) Absorbed into India or Pakistan
   B) Formed a third country
   C) Stayed under Britain
   D) United into one federation

5. A long‑term consequence of Partition is:
   A) Permanent peaceful borders
   B) Ongoing disputes (e.g., Kashmir) and refugee legacies
   C) No city demographic change
   D) Communal tensions resolved

Open Ended

1. What ended in 1911 leading to the Republic of China?
   A) Qing Dynasty rule
   B) Japanese occupation
   C) Mao’s Long March
   D) The May Fourth Movement

2. Why did the CPC cooperate with the KMT?
   A) For recognition
   B) To spread communism while KMT fought warlords
   C) To overthrow the KMT immediately
   D) To join Japan

3. What was the Long March’s significance?
   A) It defeated Japan
   B) It preserved Communist leadership and boosted recruitment
   C) It created the KMT–CPC alliance
   D) It led to Chiang becoming emperor

4. How did Japan’s 1937 invasion affect Chinese politics?
   A) United KMT and CPC permanently
   B) Weakened KMT, enabling CPC to gain support
   C) Caused Mao to surrender
   D) Led to British rule

5. Which happened by 1949?
   A) Mao founded the People’s Republic; KMT fled to Taiwan
   B) China became a monarchy
   C) Japan ruled China
   D) Qing restored

Multiple Choice

Analyze the rise of nationalism and the revolutionary movements in Asia (i.e. India)

• The rise of nationalism in Asia, especially India, was driven by colonial oppression and led to revolutionary movements seeking independence.
• The rise of nationalism in Asia had no impact on colonial rule.
• Revolutionary movements in India were mainly supported by European powers.
• Nationalism in Asia was primarily a result of economic prosperity.

Multiple Choice

Analyze the rise of nationalism and the revolutionary movements in Asia (i.e. China)

• The rise of nationalism in Asia, exemplified by revolutionary movements in China, was driven by foreign imperialism, social unrest, and the quest for self-determination.
• Nationalism in Asia had no connection to foreign imperialism.
• Revolutionary movements in China were primarily influenced by European art.
• The rise of nationalism in Asia was solely due to economic growth.

Multiple Choice

Analyze the rise of nationalism and the revolutionary movements in Ghana.

• The rise of nationalism and revolutionary movements in Ghana led to its independence from British colonial rule in 1957.
• Ghana was colonized by France in the 20th century.
• Nationalism in Ghana was primarily driven by economic factors unrelated to colonialism.
• The revolutionary movements in Ghana were unsuccessful and did not lead to any significant changes.

Open Ended

Imagine you are part of a peaceful opposition movement trying to change a powerful, long-established government that uses its police and military to silence critics.

1. What is the single greatest obstacle to organizing a successful movement when the government controls the media, schools, and communication?

2. If you know your protest will be met with violence, what is one non-violent tactic your group could use to still show the world the government's cruelty and gain international support?

Open Ended

With a neighbor, define what y'all think apartheid is. Also, how might a boycott be effective at pressuring a powerful government to change a law than using physical force or violence?

Open Ended

1. What triggered the Soweto protests in 1976?
   A) New taxes
   B) Schools forced to teach in Afrikaans
   C) End of Apartheid
   D) Foreign invasion

2. What was Apartheid?
   A) A policy of racial segregation privileging whites
   B) A socialist economic plan
   C) A military alliance
   D) A trade agreement

3. Which groups led popular resistance against Apartheid?
   A) National Party only
   B) Communist Party, ANC, and Pan‑Africanist Congress
   C) British colonists
   D) Dutch settlers

4. How did international pressure help end Apartheid?
   A) Trade embargoes and global condemnation increased costs and isolation
   B) Foreign armies invaded
   C) It forced immediate elections in 1960
   D) It eliminated racial differences

5. What happened in 1990–1994?
   A) ANC banned and Mandela imprisoned
   B) de Klerk unbanned ANC, released Mandela; 1994 first all‑inclusive elections
   C) Apartheid expanded to neighboring countries
   D) Mandela exiled to Britain

Open Ended

Work with a neighbor to answer these questions. Analyze the Symbols of Conflict: The cartoon shows the lone man facing tanks, a peace dove, and an "All-Seeing Eye" over the gate. What message is the artist trying to send by placing the single man's demand for "FREEDOM" against the powerful, menacing symbols of state control (tanks and the eye)?

Open Ended

1. What sparked the 1989 Tiananmen protests?
   A) Economic collapse
   B) Death of Hu Yaobang and calls for reform
   C) Foreign invasion
   D) Food shortages

2. Which demands did protesters make?
   A) Military rule
   B) End to corruption, freedom of the press, political participation
   C) Return to Maoism
   D) Closure of universities

3. Which April event escalated the protests?
   A) Gorbachev’s visit
   B) State press editorial accusing students of unrest (April 26)
   C) Martial law declaration
   D) Hunger strike

4. What happened June 3–4, 1989?
   A) Peaceful negotiations succeeded
   B) Military cleared the square using live fire, APCs, and tanks
   C) Protesters left voluntarily
   D) Government resigned

5. Long‑term consequences include:
   A) Open commemoration across China
   B) Purges, increased censorship, arrests; death toll disputed (hundreds–thousands)
   C) Immediate democratization
   D) Free press restored

Open Ended

1. Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
   A) Boost tourism
   B) Stop mass emigration from East to West
   C) Mark a new border after 1989
   D) Unite Berlin

2. What mistake led to the Wall opening on Nov 9, 1989?
   A) Military failure
   B) Spokesman prematurely announced new travel rules
   C) Gorbachev ordered it
   D) West Germany invaded

3. Which 1989 trend helped spark Eastern European protests?
   A) Stricter communism
   B) Reforms (e.g., Gorbachev) loosening restrictions
   C) Eastern economic boom
   D) New fortifications

4. How did East Germans respond after the announcement?
   A) Waited for passport offices
   B) Thousands rushed the Wall and crossed
   C) General strike
   D) Elected new leaders

5. Long‑term result of Nov 1989:
   A) Wall stayed
   B) Accelerated reunification; symbolized Cold War end
   C) Tighter travel laws
   D) Permanent division

Multiple Choice

Analyze opposition movements to existing political systems, include: anti-apartheid

• The anti-apartheid movement supported racial segregation in South Africa.
• The anti-apartheid movement aimed to establish a monarchy in South Africa.
• The anti-apartheid movement fought against racial segregation in South Africa, leading to the end of apartheid and the establishment of democracy.
• The anti-apartheid movement was primarily focused on economic reforms in Europe.

Multiple Choice

Analyze opposition movements to existing political systems, include: Tiananmen Square

• The Tiananmen Square protests were a celebration of the Chinese government's policies.
• The protests aimed to support the Communist Party's leadership in China.
• The movement was primarily focused on economic reforms without any political demands.
• Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 were a significant opposition movement against the Chinese government, advocating for democracy and reform.

Multiple Choice

Analyze opposition movements to existing political systems, include: the fall of the Berlin Wall.

• The fall of the Berlin Wall represents a pivotal opposition movement against communist rule, leading to the end of the Cold War and inspiring democratic movements across Eastern Europe.
• The Berlin Wall was built to promote communist ideals in East Germany.
• The Berlin Wall was a symbol of economic prosperity in Eastern Europe.
• The fall of the Berlin Wall had no impact on European politics.

Open Ended

When a group of people from entirely different countries—such as all countries in Africa or all countries sharing an Arab identity—decide they should unite under one common identity and possibly one political structure, what are three major benefits and three major challenges they might immediately face?

Both Pan-Africanism and Pan-Arabism aimed for unity and strength to counter outside influence. If a unified state is created, what is the greatest internal threat—more dangerous than any external enemy—that could cause it to break apart?

Multiple Choice

Identify ethnic conflicts and new nationalisms, include: Pan-Africanism,

• Pan-Africanism is an example of a new nationalism that addresses ethnic conflicts by promoting unity among African nations and peoples.
• Pan-Africanism rejects the idea of unity among ethnic groups.
• Pan-Africanism is a movement focused solely on economic issues.
• Pan-Africanism promotes division among African nations.

Open Ended

1. What is pan‑Arabism?
   A) A European alliance
   B) The idea of a unified Arab political state
   C) A trade agreement with Turkey
   D) A religious movement

2. Why did Arab unity fail despite popular support?
   A) Lack of public backing
   B) Leaders disagreed over who would lead the union
   C) No foreign interest in the region
   D) Geographic barriers

3. Which 1958 union formed and later dissolved when Syria felt dominated?
   A) Arab Federation
   B) United Arab Republic (Egypt + Syria)
   C) Gulf Cooperation Council
   D) Arab League

4. Short reasoning: How did Cold War rivalries hinder Arab unification?
   A) Both superpowers fully supported a unified Arab state
   B) US and USSR backed different states, preventing a single dominant bloc
   C) They withdrew all influence from the region
   D) They forced immediate unification

5. Which leader proposed a union in 1971 including Libya, Egypt, Sudan, and Syria?
   A) Nasser
   B) Gaddafi
   C) Faisal II
   D) Saddam Hussein

Multiple Choice

Identify ethnic conflicts and new nationalisms, include: Pan-Arabism

• Cultural assimilation eliminates ethnic conflicts.
• Pan-Arabism is an example of new nationalism that can lead to ethnic conflicts.
• Nationalism is solely based on economic interests.
• Pan-Africanism promotes unity among African nations.

Multiple Choice

Identify ethnic conflicts include: Bosnia-Herzegovina

• Bosnian War (1992-1995) involving Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats.
• Rwandan Genocide (1994)
• Gulf War (1990-1991)
• Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995)

Open Ended

1. What colonial action set the stage for Rwanda’s 1994 genocide?
   A) Germany/Belgium enforcing ethnic ID and favoring Tutsi
   B) Immediate inclusive independence
   C) British resettlement
   D) French rule

2. What triggered the 1994 mass killings?
   A) Drought
   B) Plane carrying the Hutu president was shot down
   C) Arrival of UN troops
   D) Tribunal verdict

3. How did Rwanda process many suspects post‑genocide?
   A) International tribunals only
   B) Gacaca community courts with lay judges and local testimony
   C) Mass executions
   D) European trials

4. Why were gacaca courts controversial?
   A) Used only professional judges
   B) Relied on community testimony, intimidated witnesses, and ignored some Hutu victims
   C) Met all international standards
   D) Never convicted anyone

5. Long‑term impact:
   A) Life unchanged for survivors
   B) ~800,000 killed; 1.7M convicted by gacaca; deep social scars remain
   C) UN prevented future violence immediately
   D) Traditional justice abolished

Multiple Choice

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda is a stark example of ethnic conflict that resulted in mass violence. Which two primary ethnic groups were involved in the conflict?

• Hutu and Tutsi

• Yoruba and Igbo

• Xhosa and Zulu

• 
  Serbs and Bosniaks

Open Ended

Imagine the impossible: a powerful, controlling system begins to fail. What three major things—political freedoms, economic shortages, or public protests—do you think would have to go wrong for a country as large and powerful as the Soviet Union to suddenly break apart into independent countries?

Leadership Change and Risk: When a strict, long-ruling country gets a new, younger leader who promises major "reforms" (changes), what is the biggest risk that leader takes by loosening control over the people, and what is the biggest benefit he is likely hoping to achieve?

Open Ended

The cartoon shows Khrushchev striking a statue labeled "Terror" and revealing a "Secret Speech" behind the "Iron Curtain." With a partner, how might these actions—ending the fear of the Stalin era—have unexpectedly set the stage for later leaders like Gorbachev to lose control of the Soviet Union?

The flag in the cartoon reads "De-Stalinization & Thaw." Given what you see, what might have been the greatest benefit of this "Thaw" for the average Soviet citizen, and what might have been the most immediate fear for hardline Communist Party members?

The 'Thaw' Begins: Nikita Khrushchev (1953–1964)

• Who He Was: Leader of the USSR after Joseph Stalin's death in 1953. He was known for his energetic, though often inconsistent, reforms.

• Positive/Reform Actions:

  • De-Stalinization (The "Thaw"): He famously denounced Stalin's terror and purges, leading to the release of millions of political prisoners from forced labor camps.

  • He shifted economic focus to increase spending on consumer goods and housing, aiming to improve the average citizen's life.

The 'Thaw' Begins: Nikita Khrushchev (1953–1964)

• Negative/Failure Actions:

  • His agricultural schemes (like the Virgin Lands Campaign) often failed.

  • He oversaw tense moments in the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the brutal Soviet crushing of the Hungarian Revolution.

• Contribution to the Fall of the USSR: By ending Stalin's terror, Khrushchev broke the total grip of fear on the Soviet population. This act of political liberalization made it harder for later leaders to rule purely by force and started the process of change that ultimately led to the Soviet Union's collapse.

​The 'Thaw' Begins: Nikita Khrushchev (1953–1964)

Open Ended

• THINK: On the "Positive Reform" side, Khrushchev is breaking open a cage labeled "Gulag Prisons," and people are being released. What does this suggest was a significant positive change he brought to the Soviet Union, and how might it have affected the daily lives of ordinary citizens?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: Look at the "Negative Failure" side. Khrushchev is shown on a rocket, holding a single ear of corn, with "Agricultural Failures" written below, and worried people with empty bowls. How does this side of the cartoon illustrate a major challenge Khrushchev faced, and what could be the long-term consequences of this problem for the country?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Open Ended

1. Main purpose of Khrushchev’s "Secret Speech" (1956)?
   A) Praise Stalin
   B) Criticize Stalin’s terror, purges, cult of personality
   C) Announce war on the West
   D) Create a new secret police

2. Why was the speech "secret"?
   A) Broadcast on TV
   B) Given to a closed party session with no press
   C) Never delivered
   D) A newspaper editorial

3. Immediate effect in Eastern Europe?
   A) Strengthened Stalin’s rule
   B) Sparked unrest in Poland and Hungary seeking reform
   C) Caused economic collapse
   D) Triggered NATO invasion

4. Short reasoning: How was Khrushchev contradictory?
   A) Confessed to all crimes
   B) Attacked Stalin but omitted his own role in purges and some policies
   C) Promoted Stalinism
   D) Called for overthrow of the party

5. One international outcome:
   A) Permanent Cold War end
   B) A temporary "thaw" and talk of peaceful coexistence
   C) USSR collapsed that year
   D) Worldwide communist revolutions

Multiple Choice

Describe the reforms of Khrushchev

• Khrushchev's reforms included de-Stalinization, the Virgin Lands Campaign, decentralization of economic control, and a focus on consumer goods.
• Khrushchev emphasized agricultural isolationism.
• Khrushchev's reforms included a return to Stalinist policies.
• Khrushchev focused solely on military expansion.

The Final Reformer: Mikhail Gorbachev (1985–1991)

Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, taking power in 1985 with the intention of saving the failing economy. He implemented two major reforms: Glasnost ("Openness") and Perestroika ("Restructuring").

Positive/Reform	Glasnost was a political reform that ended censorship, allowing citizens to enjoy free speech and publicly criticize the government for the first time. Perestroika was an economic reform that introduced limited, free-market ideas to the Soviet Union's rigid, planned economy.
Negative/Failure	Gorbachev’s reforms caused a collapse of the central economy, leading to massive shortages, long lines, and empty store shelves. Crucially, he refused to use the military force to stop republics like the Baltics from declaring independence, a significant departure from past Soviet leaders.
Summary	Gorbachev tried to fix the USSR by granting more freedom and introducing markets, but he ultimately lost control. His reforms failed to save the economy and allowed the Soviet republics to break away. He directly contributed to the fall by dismantling the two main pillars of the USSR: censorship and the one-party system.

Open Ended

• THINK: On the "Positive Reform" side, Gorbachev is smiling and holding signs for "Glasnost (Openness)" and "Perestroika (Restructuring)" to a crowd of happy people. What specific aspects of these reforms are being celebrated here, and how might they have initially brought hope and enthusiasm to Soviet citizens?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: Now look at the "Negative Failure" side. Gorbachev is shown standing atop crumbling blocks labeled with various Soviet republics (like "Ukraine," "Lithuania"), with a huge hole labeled "Economic Collapse" below. How does this image illustrate the ultimate unintended consequences of his reforms, and what does it suggest about how these changes led to the breakup of the Soviet Union?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Multiple Choice

Describe the reforms of Gorbachev and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 that produced independent countries.

• Gorbachev's reforms of glasnost and perestroika led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, resulting in 15 independent countries.
• Gorbachev's policies were focused solely on military expansion and control.
• The Soviet Union dissolved in 1989, leading to 10 independent countries.
• Gorbachev's reforms strengthened the Soviet Union and prevented its breakup.

The Collapse: A Chain Reaction

The Soviet Union’s fall was a chain reaction, where one leader's change unintentionally led to the next leader’s crisis.

1. Khrushchev’s Domino: De-Stalinization (1956) was the first crack. By removing the climate of terror, Khrushchev showed the system could be criticized. This made it possible to imagine a USSR without absolute fear.

2. Gorbachev’s Catalyst: This change allowed Glasnost (1985) to take hold. Openness immediately destroyed public trust as citizens learned the truth about the economy and the state's past crimes.

The Collapse: A Chain Reaction

1. Economic Disaster: At the same time, Perestroika (1986) dismantled the command economy. This chaotic "restructuring" led to immediate and massive shortages, fueling public anger and support for independence.

2. The Final Break: The fatal step was Gorbachev’s refusal to use force. Unlike past leaders, he did not send the military to crush demands for self-rule. This decision allowed the Soviet republics to declare independence, making the USSR's final breakup inevitable and peaceful.

Open Ended

• Perspective on Change: Look at the "Pro-USSR Resident" on the left. What specific concerns or losses does this character express regarding Gorbachev's reforms ("Glasnost? Perestroika? Only chaos!") and the end of the Soviet Union? Why might someone have held this viewpoint, even with the "terror" of the past?

• Defining "Freedom": Now, examine the "Anti-USSR Resident" on the right, who states, "Yes hardship, but the truth! No more terror! Independence now!" How does this character's perspective define "freedom" differently from the pro-USSR resident's priorities of "order" and "bread," and what does the surrounding imagery (like the crumbling "Iron Curtain" and signs for "censorship," "lies") add to their viewpoint?

Multiple Choice

Describe the reforms of Khrushchev and Gorbachev and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 that produced independent countries.

• Khrushchev's focus on military expansion led to the breakup of the Soviet Union.
• Gorbachev's policies strengthened the central government and prevented independence movements.
• The Soviet Union dissolved due to economic growth and increased global influence.
• Khrushchev's de-Stalinization and Gorbachev's reforms led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, producing independent countries.

Open Ended

Imagine a small, non-government group with very little money or weaponry trying to fight a large, powerful country. Why would this small group choose terrorism—which involves small-scale, hidden, and unpredictable attacks—instead of trying to meet the large country's military in a traditional battle?

Open Ended

If a large country decided to attack another country's military, what are three specific targets they would try to hit? (e.g., enemy tanks, airfields, supply depots)

Open Ended

If a small, hidden group with limited resources wanted to cause maximum fear in a large country, what are three specific, non-military locations they might attack, and why would these targets be effective? (Focus on the why.)

Poll

When the targets shift from military bases to public buses, who becomes the "soldier" defending the country?

• Only the Army

• Police, airport security, and intelligence agencies

• All citizens (because everyone is now a potential target)

• B and C

Multiple Choice

Analyze terrorism as a form of warfare in the contemporary world

• Terrorism is solely a psychological tactic with no physical violence involved.
• Terrorism is a form of asymmetrical warfare used by non-state actors to achieve political goals through violence, targeting civilians to instill fear.
• Terrorism is a conventional form of warfare that targets military installations.
• Terrorism is primarily conducted by state actors to maintain control over territories.

Open Ended

Imagine a powerful, established country where the government has always been run by men. When the first woman is elected to be the head of that government, what are three unique challenges she is likely to face from her political opponents, the media, or even the public that a man would not face?

Open Ended

• THINK: The cartoon shows three major female leaders standing on broken glass labeled "Tradition," "Doubt," and "Old Power," with the title "Breaking the Glass Ceiling." What does this imagery suggest about the obstacles these women faced to reach power, and what kind of qualities or strategies do you think they needed to overcome them?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: Each leader in the cartoon has symbols around them (e.g., "Iron Lady," "Future Time Leaders," "Security & Nation-Building"). Choose two of these leaders and explain how the symbols or text associated with them represent their specific challenges or achievements as a leader.

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Open Ended

1. What was Margaret Thatcher’s historic achievement in British politics?
   A. First woman in Parliament
   B. First female Prime Minister
   C. Youngest Prime Minister
   D. First Conservative leader

2. Which belief best describes Thatcher’s political ideology?
   A. Support for communism
   B. Strong state control of the economy
   C. Support for free markets and capitalism
   D. Neutral stance in the Cold War

3. Why did the Soviet press nickname Thatcher the “Iron Lady”?
   A. Her role in the Falklands War
   B. Her strict economic policies
   C. Her strong anti-communist speech
   D. Her long time in office

4. What was the main reason Thatcher sent British forces to the Falkland Islands?
   A. Economic profit
   B. NATO pressure
   C. National sovereignty
   D. Cold War strategy

5. Which event most directly increased Thatcher’s popularity with British voters?
   A. Her education reforms
   B. Winning the Falklands War
   C. Introducing a fixed tax
   D. Writing memoirs

Multiple Choice

Examine the rise of women as major world leaders, include: Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, and Margaret Thatcher.

• Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, and Margaret Thatcher were known for their roles in the arts and entertainment.
• Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf were all prominent male leaders in the 21st century.
• Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, and Margaret Thatcher were influential female leaders who shaped global politics in the 20th century.
• Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, and Golda Meir were primarily known for their contributions to science and technology.

Open Ended

When computers and international business began to connect the world, they often relied on a single common language (like English) for programming, trade, and media. How might this requirement both help a developing country join the world economy and threaten the unique language and intellectual identity of that country?

Open Ended

Imagine a viral news story breaks in Tokyo right now. How quickly can a person in London or Atlanta access and read that news today, thanks to technology? (Give a time estimate like: "Seconds," "Hours," "Days.")

Open Ended

Now, imagine it is 1940. How long would it have taken for that same news from Tokyo to reach London or Atlanta, and what main method would have been used? (Give a time estimate like: "Weeks," "Months," etc.)

Multiple Choice

The shift from months to seconds in communication means countries now share culture instantly. Which of the following is the most likely long-term result of this intense global sharing?

• All countries stop communicating with each other.

• Every country becomes exactly the same culturally.

• Local cultures disappear completely due to foreign media.

• Cultures and intellectual ideas become more integrated and intertwined.

Open Ended

1. Why did the U.S. government create ARPA?
   A. To invent social media
   B. To respond to Sputnik and gain technological superiority
   C. To replace universities
   D. To create email

2. What was ARPANET’s main original purpose?
   A. Entertainment
   B. Online shopping
   C. Military communication during a nuclear attack
   D. Public internet access

3. Why was it difficult for early ARPANET computers to communicate?
   A. There were too few users
   B. Computers used different languages
   C. Messages were too long
   D. Satellites were unavailable

4. Which innovation allowed different networks to connect worldwide?
   A. Email
   B. Sputnik
   C. TCP/IP
   D. World Wide Web

5. Why is Tim Berners-Lee important to internet history?
   A. He led ARPA
   B. He created email
   C. He made the internet user-friendly with the Web
   D. He launched the first satellite

Multiple Choice

Describe the cultural and intellectual integration of countries into the world economy through the development of television, satellites, and computers.

• The integration of countries into the world economy is enhanced by television, satellites, and computers, which promote cultural exchange and intellectual collaboration.
• The world economy is unaffected by technological advancements like computers.
• Satellites are primarily used for military purposes, not cultural integration.
• Television and computers have no impact on cultural exchange.

Open Ended

A multinational corporation (like Apple or Nike) makes its products in several different countries and sells them worldwide. If this company breaks a labor law or causes pollution in one small country, who should be the final authority to fine or punish them: that country's local government, the company's home country (like the U.S.), or a massive international organization like the United Nations? Justify your choice.

Pollution released in one country (like factory smoke or a chemical spill) doesn't stop at its border; it affects air and water globally. Why does this lack of physical borders make it necessary for governments to cooperate through treaties and international organizations to protect the environment, instead of just solving their own pollution problems locally?

Open Ended

• THINK: The ad claims the corporation creates "Local Jobs" and promotes "Innovation for a Better Planet." If this company opened a factory in a developing country, how might these benefits actually help that country integrate into the global economy? Name one way they could help and one potential risk or negative consequence the local government should still worry about.

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: The final panel shows diverse students labeled "Empowering Future Leaders." How does a multinational corporation, like this one, connect different political and cultural groups simply by operating in many countries, and why is this idea of "empowering future leaders" important for the corporation's own long-term success?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Open Ended

• THINK: The ad claims "Local Pain, Global Profit" and shows a factory polluting the planet. If a multinational corporation moves its manufacturing to a country with very few environmental laws, how does this action create a negative global economic connection? Who benefits from this move, and who pays the real cost?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: The final panel shows students demanding accountability and warns that their "Future [is] Sold!" If local governments are unable or unwilling to control a massive multinational company, which large international organizations (like the UN or WTO) might these "Future Leaders" need to appeal to for help, and why would those organizations find it difficult to force the corporation to change its practices?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Poll

Are multinational corporations naturally good or evil?

• Good

• Evil

Open Ended

1. What event is being described in this transcript?
   A. Start of the Cold War
   B. Signing of the United Nations Charter
   C. End of World War I
   D. Formation of NATO

2. How many nations approved the United Nations Charter?
   A. 12
   B. 25
   C. 40
   D. 50

3. Why did China sign the UN Charter first?
   A. It hosted the conference
   B. It led the negotiations
   C. It was the first nation attacked in WWII
   D. It had the largest army

4. Which UN body was given final military authority?
   A. General Assembly
   B. International Court
   C. Economic and Social Council
   D. Security Council

5. Why did leaders believe the UN Charter was important after WWII?
   A. To expand empires
   B. To promote trade
   C. To prevent future global conflict
   D. To weaken national governments

Open Ended

• THINK: Look at the "OPEC: The Power of Unity (Good)" side. Explain how OPEC's goal of achieving "Fair Prices for Producers" and "Investment in Member Nations" connects to the idea of a global economic connection. Why do these oil-producing nations need to cooperate through an organization like OPEC to achieve these goals instead of acting alone?

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

• THINK: Examine the "Global Influence & Crisis (Bad)" side. The text mentions "Oil Embargoes as Political Weapons" and "Global Economic Shocks." Analyze how a decision made by a small group of oil-producing countries can quickly become a major political crisis for non-member nations, leading to global problems like inflation and recession.

  • PAIR: Discuss your ideas with a partner.

  • SHARE: Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.

Multiple Choice

Analyze global economic and political connections; include multinational corporations, the United Nations, OPEC, and the World Trade Organization.

• Multinational corporations operate independently of global politics.
• The United Nations has no role in economic matters.
• OPEC is solely focused on environmental issues.
• Global economic and political connections are influenced by multinational corporations, the United Nations, OPEC, and the World Trade Organization.

Multiple Choice

Explain how governments cooperate through treaties and organizations to minimize the negative effects of human actions on the environment.

• Governments ignore environmental issues and focus solely on economic growth.
• Treaties are only used for military cooperation, not environmental concerns.
• Governments cooperate through treaties and organizations to create binding agreements, share resources, and promote sustainable practices to minimize environmental harm.
• Organizations are formed to promote individual country interests over global environmental health.