List and describe the ways Create a T-chart identifying Write one-sentence Develop a claim supported in which tensions emerged aggressive actions by the summaries of each by evidence that explains during and after the war. Soviet Union and the historian’s argument on the extent to which United States in the who started the Cold War. assigning blame is war era. Select two pieces of problematic. evidence that support each claim. Featured Sources Featured Sources Featured Sources Featured Sources Source A: Excerpt from Source A: “Postwar Politics Source A: Excerpt from Source A: Excerpt from “The Specter of Communism, and the Cold War: Timeline America Faces Russia, 1950. Blame Game,” 2010 1994 and Terms” Source B: Excerpt from The Source B: Excerpt from The Source B: Letter from United States and the Global Cold War, 2005 Truman to Secretary of Origins of the Cold War, State James Byrnes 1941-1947, 1972. Source C: Excerpt from Origins of Containment, Source C: Excerpt from At Source C: Excerpt from 1985 Stalin’s Side, 1994 From Colony to Superpower, 2008. ARGUMENT Who’s to blame for the Cold War? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while Summative acknowledging competing views. Performance Task EXTENSION Conduct a mock trial where students put the United States and/or the Soviet Union on trial for starting the Cold War and decide whether there should be a consequence if either party is deemed “guilty.” UNDERSTAND Research the current state of the relationship between Russia and the United States, including their respective influence on world affairs. Taking Informed ASSESS Assess the concerns expressed by both powers in terms of their economic and geopolitical role. Action ACT Write a letter to a government official (e.g., ambassador, representative) that makes suggestions for improving diplomatic relations between the US and Russia.
List and describe the ways in which tensions emerged during and after the war. Create a T-chart identifying aggressive actions by the Soviet Union and the United States in the era. Write one-sentence summaries of each historian’s argument on who started the Cold War. Select two pieces of evidence that support each claim. Develop a claim supported by evidence that explains the extent to which assigning blame is problematic. Featured Sources Featured Sources Featured Sources Featured Sources Source A: Excerpt from Specter of Communism, 1994 Source B: Excerpt from The Global Cold War, 2005 Source C: Excerpt from Origins of Containment, 1985 Source A: “Postwar Politics and the Cold War: Timeline and Terms” Source B: Letter from Truman to Secretary of State James Byrnes Source C: Excerpt from At Stalin’s Side, 1994 Source A: Excerpt from America Faces Russia, 1950. Source B: Excerpt from The United States and the Origins of the Cold War, 1941-1947, 1972. Source C: Excerpt from From Colony to Superpower, 2008. Source A: Excerpt from “The Blame Game,” 2010 Summative Performance Task ARGUMENT Who’s to blame for the Cold War? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. EXTENSION Conduct a mock trial where students put the United States and/or the Soviet Union on trial for starting the Cold War and decide whether there should be a consequence if either party is deemed “guilty.” Taking Informed Action UNDERSTAND Research the current state of the relationship between Russia and the United States, including their respective influence on world affairs. ASSESS Assess the concerns expressed by both powers in terms of their economic and geopolitical role. ACT Write a letter to a government official (e.g., ambassador, representative) that makes suggestions for improving diplomatic relations between the US and Russia. war