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Effects of the Cold War

Driving Question: What tactics did the United States and the Soviet Union use to compete for influence, and what were the consequences of their actions?

The Cold War and decolonization took place at the same time. The United States and the Soviet Union competed to influence a growing number of newly independent states, interfering in and shaping emerging regional conflicts around the world. Though the Soviet Union eventually fell, the global legacy of Cold War conflicts still lives on.

Learning Objectives

  1. Compare the ways in which the United States and the Soviet Union sought to maintain influence over the course of the Cold War.
  2. Use quick-sourcing skills to assess the impacts of the Cold War.

Vocab Terms:

  • balance of power
  • coup
  • dictatorship
  • intervention
  • nonalignment
  • self-determination
  • socialism
STEP 2

The Cold War Around the World

The Cold War certainly ran “hot” in regional wars around the world. What led to the worldwide flare-ups during this fifty-year conflict?

STEP 3

Source Collection: Cold War

STEP 4

Decolonization and Cold War: Through a Caribbean Lens

The Caribbean provides a case study of how decolonization and the Cold War were intertwined. Explore how both these trends impacted the region.

Decolonization and the Cold War: Through a Caribbean Lens External link

As the two superpowers struggled for control in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Central America, new leaders and movements sought to direct their nations’ futures.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 5

Decolonization and Cold War: Through an Asian Lens

The Korean and Vietnam Wars are perhaps the best-known “hot” conflicts of the Cold War. The roots of both conflicts lay in the colonial era, and in both conflicts, the United States and Soviet Union supported different sides.

Decolonization and the Cold War: Through an Asian Lens External link

As Asian nations threw off the yoke of foreign colonial control and the Cold War intensified, wars in Korea and Vietnam reshaped East Asian politics.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 6

Closer: Effects of the Cold War

Extension Materials
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Check out the article below for a more in-depth look at the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.
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Arms Race, Space Race

Competition can be destructive or inspire people to greater heights. During the Cold War, the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union was no exception.