Social Studies - United States History II
Lesson Plans

U.S. II Strand 6: ANOTHER GLOBAL CONFLICT AND THE BEGINNINGS OF THE COLD WAR

(Ca. 1930-1950) Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• How did decisions that leaders made during World War II change the rules of warfare?
• What arguments were made for employing the tactics of "total war"?
• How do local conflicts escalate to become global conflicts?
• What were the interests and primary objectives of the U.S. in entering into World War II?
• How was the impact of World War II reflected in the culture of the United States home front?
• How did the events of World War II set the stage for the Cold War?
• How did the United States seek to halt the spread of communism in Europe?

U.S. II Standard 6.5:

Students will evaluate the impact of using international economic aid and diplomacy to secure national interests, specifically citing case studies of America's investment in war-torn nations following the war, such as the Marshall Plan and the Berlin Airlift.

• American Diplomacy in World War II
  This four-lesson curriculum unit will examine the nature of what Winston Churchill called the "Grand Alliance" between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union in opposition to the aggression of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.
• Berlin Airlift Primary Source Activity
  This activity asks students to review online materials related to the Berlin Airlift and to investigate the site to complete their activities.
• History Brief: The Berlin Airlift
  This video provides an overview of the history of East and West Berlin and the response to its isolation with the Berlin Airlift.
• The Berlin Blockage/Airlift
  In July of 1945 at Potsdam, it was decided among the Big 3 (Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and Josef Stalin) that Germany would be split along the Elbe River, with the Western powers getting control of the West, and the Soviet Union the East. The border between the two "countries" was lined with barbed-wire and communist-friendly guards. Berlin was also split in this way. It was also at this meeting that the Four-Power Agreement was signed, giving air access to West Berlin from West Germany; a highway route along with a canal into West Berlin were also allowed.

---

http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.