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Sourcing: Who Started the Cold War?

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WORLD HISTORY PROJECT1200/ LESSON 8.2ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHO STARTED THE COLD WAR?Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Sourcing: Who Started the Cold War?,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeExtend your sourcing skills by reading two primary source documents that provide differing perspectives on the start of the Cold War. Focus on the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sectionsof the Sourcing Tool. By comparing these two sources,which were written from different perspectives on the same topic, you’ll refine your sourcing skills and deepen your understanding ofhow an author’s point of view and purpose impacts the “why” (importance) of a historical work.Process1.Open and analyze Sourcing Excerpts: Who Started the Cold War?As you read the documents, focus on completing the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sections of the Sourcing Tool on the next page. Additionally, think about this questionas you read: To what extent were the causes of the Cold War similar in the US and USSR?2.Once you’re done reading and filling out the Sourcing Tool, make sure you answer the questions that begin on page4. Note:Your teacher may have you use your completed tool for Sourcing Essay: Who Started the Cold War?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 8.2ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHO STARTED THE COLD WAR?2Sourcing ToolProcess:Answer each of the questions below. If you are sourcing more than one document, provide responses for each.Name of document and/or source:Author’s name:Loca5on and date source was wri8en:Historical contextWhat about the author’s loca2on may have influenced the source’s crea2on(for example, the loca2on’s geography, demography, or the region’s poli2cal situa2on, religious influences, or industry)?What events might have influenced the source’s crea2on?What other informa2on helps you understand this source?AudienceWho was the source created for (that is, was this wri@en for anyone to read or was it private, for one specific person or group)?What were the readers of this source supposed to do or think once they read it?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 8.2ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHO STARTED THE COLD WAR?3PurposeWhat was the author’s goal, and what evidence supports your answer?POV(Point of View)Can you iden2fy anything about the author that might explain why they wrote this? For example, does their economic class, occupa2on, religion, na2onality, poli2cal group, ethnic group, or gender help explain why they wrote this?WhY(importance)What is the main idea of the source?What parts of this document are most valuable and why?What are the limita2ons of this document? In other words, where does it fall short?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 8.2ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHO STARTED THE COLD WAR?43.Once you’ve completed the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sections, respond to the following questions:•How do the authors differ in their analysis of who was responsible for starting the Cold War? •What are the similarities between the documents?•How does each author try to convince you of their argument regarding this topic?