Materials

• Maps of the Cold War era
• Internet access
• Copies of “Events of the Early Cold War” (Attachment A) for each student
• Overhead copy of Attachment A
• Overhead copy of notes for Day 1: “Beginnings of the Cold War 1945–1948” (Attachment B)
• Copy of the Iron Curtain speech
• Article or story about shortages and waiting lists to buy consumer goods during the Cold War

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resource may be helpful in locating maps:

• “Education Place.” <http://www.eduplace.com/ss/ssmaps/>.

1. Ask students to create a list of ten things they know about the Cold War. Ask them to share part of their list. Make an overhead of their responses.
   
   
2. Use the list “Events of the Early Cold War” (Attachment A) to provide an introduction to the unit. Compare this list with the student responses.
   
   
3. Display the notes for this session on the overhead and discuss them. (A copy of the notes is provided at Attachment B.) Ask leading questions to guide student understanding, such as the following:
   • What does the word ideology mean?
   • In what ways were the United States and the Soviet Union different in political and economical ideologies?
   • Why was the Yalta Conference convened?
   • What were the immediate results of the conference?
   • What were the long-term results of the decisions made at the Yalta meeting?
   
   
4. Have students read an article or story about shortages and waiting lists to buy consumer goods. Discuss the reading as a class. Ask students how they feel when they must wait in line. Ask them how they think the East Germans and other felt as they waiting in lines during the Cold War.