Cold War Unit Plan

HEADING
Kate Collier 20th Century Conflict, 7th grade 2 90-minute periods & 1 45-minute
period/week
Cold War

OVERVIEW/ RATIONALE
This six-week long unit is designed for a 7th grade 20th Century Conflict course. Constructed around
essential questions and enduring understandings, students will be actively and critically engaged in
materials and content from the Cold War. Specifically, students will learn and come to understand
the ideological conflict of the Cold War between the US and the USSR. Students will further explore
the Cold War through reading the historical fiction text, A Night Divided, and an independent
research project. This research project will be centered around key terms. Each student will select
3-4 key terms to research by answering key focus questions. Students will present their findings on
a class website where each student is given a webpage.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Cold war
1. What were the economic, political, and social causes of the Cold War?
2. How did the rivalry between two superpowers impact other nations around the
world?
3. How did key events shape the course and outcome of the Cold War?
4. How did science and technology play a role during the Cold War?
5. How did the Cold War end?

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS/GOALS/OBJECTIVES
Content/Enduring Understandings:
o Cold War
Students will understand how the events of WWII and the ideological
differences (democracy and capitalism vs. communism) between the US and
the USSR caused the Cold War.
Students will understand how the rivalry between the US and USSR
impacted various nations of North America, South America, Central America,
Central Europe, Asia, and Africa through diplomacy, war, and propaganda.
Students will learn the difference between a Hot and Cold War.
Students will learn how key events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin
Airlift, the Velvet Revolution etc., shaped the course and outcome of the Cold
War.
Students will learn that the Space Race, Nuclear Arms Race, and Espionage
played a vital role during the Cold War.
Students will learn how the Cold War ended.
Skills/Goals/Objectives:
o Research
Students will develop skills in analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Students will learn where to find reputable historical information.
Students will learn organization skills in recording research.
Students will understand how to cite sources in MLA format for information
and pictures.
o Web Design
Students will learn what elements make for an effective webpage.

1
 Students will understand that the use of proper formats (spelling, grammar,
structure) results in effective communication in writing.
Students will practice presentation skills.
o Reading
Students will draw explicit connections between literature and history to
understand deep knowledge of the Cold War.