CBW - Cold War & Beyond Module Overview

 

Cold War & Beyond

Introduction

As WWII ended, in many ways the allies simply traded one conflict for another. Europe remained divided, now East vs. West, as the Soviets and the Americans began a 40+ year standoff. Though the Cold War did not result in the Eastern and Western nations fighting each other directly, there were still numerous conflicts between the two around the globe. "Brinkmanship," or the policy of always being on the edge of war, led to tensions throughout all nations. Society responded with student riots and decolonization. Great strides were made in science and a growing consumer culture reaped the rewards of an economic post-war boom. For those living behind the Iron Curtain, life was harsh, with strict controls on politics and economics. Democratic uprisings, such the Hungarian revolts and the Prague Spring were harshly suppressed, leaving many resigned to Communism as a way of life.

By 1970, the idea of a divided Europe seemed the norm. The Brezhnev Doctrine made Soviet invasion in the face of a political protest an inevitability. In light of this, the tension-filled standoff eased into détente as both sides found ways to coexist. The reforms created under Mikhail Gorbachev sparked later demands for reform and, rather than fixing the strained communist system, it managed to break it into pieces. By the end of 1989, the Eastern Bloc countries had all broken away from Communism and the USSR soon followed.

The end of the 20th century saw many changes to Europe, including a movement to work cohesively. Out of this came the European Union. While not every country is a member of the EU, it is essentially the governing body for the majority of European nations and marks the first widescale cooperative movement Europe has seen throughout her history. Times are rapidly changing and Europe is facing a barrage of challenges including terrorism and increased tensions due to immigration. Women see major changes during this time as well.

 

Essential Questions

• Understand the physical restructuring of Europe post World War II.
• Be able to recognize the ideological struggles between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.
• Be able to trace the political leaders of the post World War II era.
• Be able to understand the nature of a "cold war" and the events and issues which defined this type of war throughout the 20th century.
• Be able to recognize the significance of nuclear weapons in the 20th century political and military struggles.
• How did the challenges to Communism, particularly in satellite nations, bring about the downfall of the Communist bloc?
• How did the anti-communist movements of the 1950's and 1960's influence the development of European solidarity?
• How did Margaret Thatcher impact England and Europe in the 1980's?
• What is the European Union, and how was it developed?
• Was the development of the European Union an absolute necessity in obtaining peace across Europe?
• Compare and contrast different views of the European Union.
• How did migration in twentieth century Europe affect modern society?
• How has the threat of terrorism impacted Europe?
• How have women's roles in the work force changed over the course of the 20th century?
• How was the world of art affected by World War II and the Cold War?
• What developments in Christianity have occurred during the latter half of the 20th century?
• How have the technological advancements of the 20th century changed the modern world?

 

Textbook Assignment and Unit Review Form

As you work through this module, be certain to read the Cold War and post 1989 chapters in your textbook. Pay careful attention to the political and social changes of this period. As you are reading you may wish to jot down notes in the unit review form. This is for your notes, not to submit.

Click here to download a copy of the unit review form. Links to an external site.

 

Key Terms and People

There are several people and items you need to look over for this module. Be sure to download the ID list (linked below) - EVEN if you do not plan on defining them for your notes. This is for your notes, not to submit. You need to look over the list of terms to see what you will need to pay particular attention to in this module.

Click here to download a copy of the ID List for this module. Links to an external site.

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.