1. Why was the Grand Alliance formed?

Lesson Objectives
​To identify the reasons for the creation of the Grand Alliance and to evaluate its key documents

​Lesson Tasks
  1. ​Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Read this copy of the Atlantic Charter. In your own words, explain the meaning of each of the eight points and why they were important to Churchill and Roosevelt in August 1941.
  3. Evaluate the values and limitations of the Atlantic Charter as a source by completing this OPCVL analysis grid.
  4. Read the Declaration of United Nations. Choose one of the other countries that signed the declaration and assess the extent to which that country adhered to terms 1 and 2 of the declaration. In particular, consider whether it used its ‘full’ economic and military resources against the Tripartite Pact. Put together a case in writing in which you provide an explicit response to the question. Do you agree to a large extent? Some extent? Very limited extent? Then provide specific evidence to support your position.

Extension
  1. ​Gorodetsky, G. (1988). The Origins of the Cold War - Stalin, Churchill and the Formation of the Grand Alliance

2. Why did the Grand Alliance Breakdown?

Lesson Objectives
To identify how disagreements arising from the Second World War led to the Cold War

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. In groups or individually, complete this analysis grid on each of the three wartime conference documents for Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Complete Tasks 1-3, sharing your answers with the class.​
  3. In pairs, discuss these questions before sharing your ideas with the class:
    1. Who or what was most responsible for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?
    2. How could the breakdown of the Grand Alliance have been avoided? Think of at least 2 suggestions
    3. What issues caused the most tension between the Allies?
    4. From what you’ve learnt so far, what do you consider to be the ‘seeds’ of East-West conflict that were sown from 1917 onwards?
​
Extension
  1. ​Download and read this copy of Kennan's Long Telegram.
    1. What is the tone of language used in this telegram
      What does this reveal about Kennan's views?
    2. Why do you think historians have seen the Long Telegram as significant in the origins of the Cold War
  2. ​Download and read Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech
    1. ​What do you think was the purpose of the speech?
    2. ​How do you think Stalin would reply to this speech?
Picture
'Peep under the iron curtain' by Leslie Illingworth. Published in the Daily Mail in 1946. What do you think the message of the cartoon is and how does it support Churchill's iron curtain speech?

3. How did Confrontation lead to Containment?

Lesson Objectives
To identify how and why the relationship between the USA and USSR intensified in the years 1947-48

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Download and read the Clifford-Elsey Report Outline:
    1. ​How does the report describe Soviet foreign policy aims?
    2. According to the report, how has the US attempted to reach agreement with the USSR?
    3. How has the USSR violated agreements?
    4. Why was reparations an issue?
    5. What aggressive Soviet activities does the report describe?
    6. What should be American policy towards the Soviet Union?
    7. How would a Soviet diplomat criticise this report? Is it unfair or biased in any particular way? Consider each term separately.
  3. Download and read 'The Truman Doctrine' Speech and answer these questions:
    1. What problems does Greece and Turkey face?
    2. What justification does Truman give for his doctrine?
    3. What support will the US provide Greece & Turkey?
    4. Identify the key words that Truman uses to describe the West and key words he uses to describe countries under Soviet control. Why do you think he uses this type of language?
    5. Why do you think this speech marked such a turning point in American foreign policy?
  4. Download and read 'The Marshall Plan' Speech.
    1. What economic problems does Europe face?
    2. What is the purpose of US policy?
    3. What should European nations do to help?
    4. Investigate the Soviet response to Marshall Aid. Why were the Soviets so opposed to the Plan? Write a paragraph summarising the Soviet response.
  5. Research the growth of Soviet control in one Eastern bloc country in the period 1945-1949. How important were:
    1. The presence of the Red Army?
    2. The strength of the local Communist party?
    3. The use of spy networks and state police?
    4. Control of the economy?
  6. Write a paragraph or draw a diagram summarising your findings.
Picture
A Punch cartoon from June 1947. What do you think the message of this cartoon is in relation to Stalin's policy in Eastern Europe?

4. Did the Berlin Blockade 'trigger' the Cold War?

Lesson Objectives
To identify the causes of the Berlin Blockade and its effects on relations between the superpowers

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Read the statement by Vassili Sokolovsky, Soviet Marshal, on the reasons for Soviet withdrawal from the Allied Control Council:
    1. Who does the source blame for the breakdown in relations between the four occupying powers? When did this occur?
    2. To what extent do you agree with the assertion that the allies are 'destroying' the Allied Controlled Council?
  3. Download and read this confidential US report on negotiations with the Soviets over the Berlin Situation and answer these questions:
    1. What is the fundamental issue causing the crisis?
    2. Why did the US view the Soviet position as unacceptable?
    3. What was the real Soviet purpose for causing the crisis?
  4. Using pages 38-45 of your textbooks and any other resources, complete this table to show the: 'Causes'; 'Impact'; and 'Significance' of the Berlin Blockade crisis.
  5. From what you have learnt about the Berlin Blockade, who do you think was responsible for causing the crisis?

Extension
  1. Read and make notes from: Chapter 4 - The Berlin Airlift (pp 73-87) of Smyser, W.R. (1999). From Yalta to Berlin - The Cold War Struggle over Germany.
  2. Explore this website on post-war Germany.
  3. Watch this documentary 'Germany after the War'.
  4. Read this personal account of the Berlin Airlift.

5. Who was to blame for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

Lesson Objectives
To discuss role played by various factors in the outbreak of the Cold War and evaluate the historiography on the origins of the Cold War

Lesson Tasks
  1. Download, read and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
  2. Download and use this timeline of the origins of the Cold War to help you complete the research tasks in class.
  3. Download and complete this research table on the historiography of the Cold War.
  4. Which historiographical position do you agree with the most and why? Write a paragraph explaining your opinion and be prepared to share this in class next lesson.

Resources on the Historiography of the Origins of the Cold War
​
  1. Read chapter 4, pages 44-55 in 'The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries' by K. Rogers and J. Thomas (course textbook).
  2. Read chapter 1, pages 3-29 in 'Origins of the Cold War 1941-49' by M. McCauley. Documents 1-3 on pages 118-122 summarise the main historiographical schools of thought.
  3. Download and read 'Origins of the Cold War by Arthur Schlesinger' and 'Sources of Soviet Conduct by Mr. X' for the two key documents of Orthodox thinking.
  4. Visit this website for a simplified overview of the historiography on the causes of the Cold War.
  5. Another good simple overview of the historiography on the Cold War.
  6. Re-read 'The Cold War: A New History by John Lewis Gaddis' Chapter 1 for an overview of the post-revisionist position.
  7. For a detailed but challenging overview of the historiography, read pages 2-5 in 'International Relations since 1945: A Global History' by J. Young and J. Kent
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