Era 15: Contemporary United States: International Policies (1970–Today)

Summary: This activity utilizes primary sources to help students understand the relationship between U.S. and Soviet leadership towards the end of the Cold War. This activity will begin by first analyzing President Ronald Reagan's harsh view of the Soviet Union and its leadership. The lesson then analyzes Reagan's positional shift when corresponding with Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev. Finally, this activity focuses on President Reagan's "Tear down this wall" Speech at Brandenburg Gate,...

Summary: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) among Canada, the United States, and Mexico took effect on January 1, 1994. Students may be aware of current debates about the trade deal but may not know that the agreement has been contentious since its inception. In this lesson, students read different perspectives on free trade and globalization to answer the question: What were arguments in the U.S. against ratifying NAFTA?

Overarching Questions:

Summary: In this lesson, students will analyze the effects of the 9/11 attacks on New York City, with specific focus on Major League Baseball and Twin Tower survivors. Students will then examine long-term effects from the attacks across the nation and summarize their analysis with a written response to the Compelling Question: How did the 9/11 terrorist attacks affect American society? Finally, in an iCivics mini-lesson, students will review the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and analyze how it...