The Global Cold War
Driving Question: How did the conflict between the US and USSR affect the rest of the world?
From Vietnam to Afghanistan, Chile to Cuba, the Cold War was a global struggle. As the United States and Soviet Union battled for influence, they reshaped global politics and communities far beyond their borders.
Learning Objectives:
- Use evidence to understand how the Cold War spread around the world.
- Practice quick sourcing to evaluate how different individuals and nations responded to Cold War pressures.
- Create arguments using historical evidence to support claims, and communicate conclusions through informal writing.
Opener: The Global Cold War
Proxy Wars
Cold War rivalries played out in many different regions. These materials examine how local conflicts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were shaped by global alliances, ideologies, and power struggles.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What caused bloodshed in South Asia in the late 1940s?
- How did the British government respond to the violence in South Asia?
- How did the partition of South Asia affect the Cold War?
- How did the United States try to contain communism in Latin America?
- Why was the United States concerned about the former Belgian Congo?
After you read
Respond to this question: Which course frame—communities, networks, or production and distribution—best helps explain why the Cold War spread worldwide?
Who Won the Cold War?
The Cold War didn’t end with a final battle, but with big changes inside the Soviet Union. Trace how communism collapsed and reflect on how the world shifted from the end of World War II until the fall of the USSR.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- How was the Soviet empire different from other European empires?
- How did the Soviet model of empire contribute to its collapse?
- What was Soviet control like in Eastern Europe?
- How did Mikhail Gorbachev attempt to open up, or modernize, Soviet society?
After you read
Respond to this question: Which course frame—communities, networks, or production and distribution—best helps explain why the Cold War ended?
