  Experience the effect of Soviet expansionism and the closing of the Iron Curtain, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan and the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy. (15 min) |
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| Teacher's Guide Objectives • Gives students an overview of the Cold War. • Stimulates discussion of an important era in American history. • Provides primary source material for historical authenticity. • Encourages students to explore the subject in greater depth. Summary of Content This program deals with the years after World War II and the growing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Newsreel footage highlights the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, the conflict between President Truman and General MacArthur, the anti-Communist hysteria that swept America in the early 1950s and the rise and fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Discussion Questions 1. What happened to most of the countries of Eastern Europe after World War II? 2. What is NATO? What is the Warsaw Pact? 3. What did Winston Churchill mean when he said an “iron curtain” had descended across Europe? 4. What was the policy of containment? 5. What was the Truman Doctrine? 6. Explain the importance of the Marshall Plan? 7. The Korean War was officially called “a police action of the United Nations.” Why? 8. What were the differences between President Truman’s policy in the Korean War and that of General MacArthur? 9. Explain the importance of the trials of Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. 10. Who was Joseph McCarthy? What role did he play in the history of the 1950s? Activities • There have been many instances of US/USSR confrontations since the end of World War II. Have the student research one or two events and explain their importance. Following are some examples: The Berlin Airlift The Suez Crisis Cuban Missile Crisis Building the Berlin Wall Hungarian Revolution Uprising in Czechoslovakia • Have the students read about people whose lives were directly affected by the Communist hysteria of the 1950s and Senator Joseph McCarthy. Ask them if they think an episode of “McCarthyism” could flare up again. |
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