Description

Cold War Unit

This Cold War Unit is a hands-on unit that combines history and language arts skills! Everything you need for teaching about the causes, important people and events, and outcomes of the Cold War can be found here. Save time planning, and your students will love completing the hands-on activities found in this unit.

For a closer look at the activities in this unit, see the product preview images at the top of the page!

What topics are covered in this Cold War Unit?

This Cold War Unit includes 6 detailed lesson plans. All lessons are hands-on and incorporate literacy skills. Students will investigate–

• the role of the United States in rebuilding Europe and Japan after World War II, including the Marshall Plan
• the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers after World War II
• the political and ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union (democracy and capitalism vs. communism)
• key decisions and agreements that established international allies, including the Atlantic Charter, the formation of the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Warsaw Pact
• key differences between NATO and the Warsaw Pact and the countries associated with each
• events related to the Cold War including the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, and the Arms Race
• the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War, including the actions of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev

What types of resources are included in the unit?

A variety of no-prep activities are included in these unit plans.

• worksheets
• passages with comprehension questions
• hands-on activities
• primary source activities
• map activities
• sort
• foldables
• quiz
• test
• word wall cards
• timeline of suggested activities: Provides a timeline for using the activities included within this unit and provides links to websites featuring videos about concepts being taught.
• answer keys included throughout

Students will become fully immersed in learning about the people, events, and policies related to the Cold War as they complete hands-on activities and research past events!

Are digital resources included?

All of the passages and comprehension questions, most worksheets, the quiz, and the test within this Cold War Unit are also included in an interactive Google Slides format and can be shared with students using your Google Drive.

Video tutorials are included to help you share interactive Google Slides with your students.

What standards are covered?

This Cold War Unit is specifically aligned with the 2023 Virginia U.S. History SOL USII.7, although it closely matches most U.S. History standards related to the causes, important people and events, and outcomes of the Cold War.

What are other teachers saying about this resource?

• “Vestal’s units never fail to impress! I have loved using them this school year and will continue to use them for years to come. Thank you.” (Katy G.)
• “This resource was SO helpful– we were given just a few days to put together packets for distance learning, but your materials made it very stress-free for me.  This was a perfect fit for my 6th grade US History II class.  I’ve recommended your resources to other middle school teachers in a Facebook group I’m in.  I really appreciate your products!” (Stefanie K.)

Don’t Miss Out!

You don’t need to spend hours creating your Cold War Unit! These lessons require minimal prep work and are easy to implement, whether teaching in-person or virtually. Students will also enjoy learning about the causes, people and events, and outcomes of the Cold War as they complete hands-on activities and read passages.

Want to save money?

This Cold War Unit is included in my U.S. History 1865 to Present Curriculum Bundle for a discounted price!

More Cold War Resources:

• Cold War Task Cards
• Cold War Escape Room

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Other Information:

©Meghan Vestal, Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom LLC. All rights reserved. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for teachers, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Teachers may NOT upload the product to school/district servers, or to any website, or share digital or print copies. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All sales are final.