Era 12: Postwar United States: Cold War (1945 - 1970s)

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NJ Student Learning Standards:

NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:

Link to Lessons: Lesson coming soon

Summary:

Overarching Questions:

NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:

Link to Lessons: Lesson coming soon.

Summary: This three day lesson plan divides the class into proponents and opponents to the Marshall Plan. Using primary documents from the Truman Library website, the proponents create a persuasive speech trying to convince a skeptical American public to support the measures of rebuilding war-torn Europe. The opponents will use general arguments against the plan to formulate questions to ask the proponents after their speeches. After presentations, students will construct an essay detailing...

Summary: Civilian control of the military has been a central feature of American democracy since the adoption of the Constitution. President Truman’s decision to fire General MacArthur during the Korean War was unpopular at the time. This lesson will examine Truman’s reasons for his decision and whether it was warranted in defense of American constitutional principles and practices.

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Summary: President Eisenhower’s 1961 televised “Farewell Address” is notable in that he used his stature as both a president and a former military commander to warn about the rise of a “military-industrial complex” that could have undue influence on public policy, scientific research, and academic freedom. He warned that this potential threat to American liberties through “unwarranted influence” and “misplaced power” could only be resisted by an “alert and informed citizenry”. This lesson will examine...

Summary: This lesson chronicles the Space Race with an examination of primary source documents, from President Kennedy's call to land on the Moon to Apollo 17—the last lunar Mission. Particular emphasis is placed upon President Nixon's role in the space program. As students complete their examination of documents, they answer three compelling questions: 1) What compelled the Space Race of the 1960s and 1970s?; 2) Why do you think it came to an end?; 3) Do you think the United States should go back...

Summary: The Vietnam War era was a highly divisive period in American history. This lesson looks at the war through the lens of the New Jersey experience. Many New Jerseyans served in the conflict, with eight winning the Congressional Medal of Honor and 1,563 losing their lives. New Jersey towns and campuses also saw protests from citizens who saw the war as unjust and contrary to the national interest. Public opinion was deeply divided, with both sides claiming the mantle of patriotism. This...