Topic title: Why was the Cold War so tumultuous?
Year group: 9
When taught: April/May
What are we learning?
- What was the Cold War and what were the flashpoints?
- Why did Churchill say an Iron Curtain had descended upon Europe?
- Why did Stalin blockade Berlin?
- Art history: how far did imagery reflect reality?
- How close did the world come to nuclear war?
- Counter-culture: USA & UK reactions to Vietnam
- Was the nuclear arms race was matched by similar competition over space and the race to the moon?
- How did tension rise and fall during the Cold War?
- How have ideas about the Cold War have changed since the conflict ended?
Why is this important to know?
- Political awareness of current affairs and international relations.
- The Cold War was one of the most significant and enduring episodes of the 20th century
- To gain an insight into Cold War’s origins and the change in relationship between America and the USSR from 1945-1991.
Where does this link to our past and future learning?
- Students will analyse the change in relationship and link their learning to the section of learning on WW2, the impact of the atomic bomb and political ideologies.
- Students will begin to understand why interpretations of the Cold War have changed over time gaining further insight into historiography.
- Study Cold War in Asia (Korean and Vietnam Wars for GCSE)
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- End of unit knowledge test
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- To be able to describe different political ideologies confidently
- To describe sources and show an understanding of their context and provenance.
- Use of specific and detailed evidence to support points
- Consistent use of key terms and subject specific vocabulary
- Ability to select, organise and prioritise information
- To explore how different historians have different views and why
Key words
Quizlet, click here.
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Wider reading around the topic
- Discuss with relatives and friends about their memories of the Cold War
- Consider the social impact of the Cold War and how this may have varied based on where people lived
- Consider the long term impact on global politics and international relations
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
- Abyss: The world on the brink by Max Hastings
- The Cold War: A World History by Odd Arne Westard
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 by Christopher Catherwood
- Hodder GCSE History for Edexcel: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 by John Wright
