Starters
Unit 8: WWII and the Cold War
WEEK 1
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STARTER – Cause and Effect
What happened at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941? What was the effect of this event?
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WEEK 2
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How did WWII affect the United States and Europe similarly? Differently?
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Prepare for the debate.
Write “Debate” on your starter sheet for today.
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The war effort of World War II stimulated the United States economy and helped pull the nation out of the Great Depression.
Why do you think the war had this effect? What sorts of industries benefit from a war?
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Work on your WWII project. Write “Project” on your starter sheet for today.
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Work on your WWII project. Write “Project” on your starter sheet for today.
WEEK 3
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Work on your WWII project. Write “Project” on your starter sheet for today.
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After World War II, the United States invested billions of dollars in the Marshall Plan, a scheme to rebuild Europe and give financial assistance to those European nations that sustained heavy damage during the war.
Why do you think American decision-makers believed that this was a good use of American funds?
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In 1951, President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur, who had publicly denigrated Truman for confining the Korean War to the Korean peninsula.
Do you think officers deserve to be fired if they voice opinions that contradict those of their commander in chief? Why or why not?
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At the height of the Cold War, a paranoia known as the Red Scare swept across America. Many upstanding citizens across the country were accused of being Communists, or “reds,” and were arrested and sometimes even brought before Congress for formal hearings. A government committee known as the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) led the witch-hunt. Former President Harry Truman said of HUAC,
“I’ve said many times that the Un-American Activities Committee in the House of Representatives was the most un-American thing in America.”
Why do you think Truman had such strong feelings toward this organization? Why might such an organization be dangerous?
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WEEK 4
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The presidential election of 1960 featured an unprecedented series of television debates between Nixon and Kennedy. Many commentators noticed that Nixon appeared uneasy and sweaty on television, while Kennedy looked boyish and confident. Kennedy ultimately won the election.
How did TV change the way presidential presidents campaigned? How did TV change public perceptions of candidates? Explain.
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President John F. Kennedy once declared,
“We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to ensure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Do you believe the U.S. has a responsibility to follow this philosophy? What are some possible consequences of acting according to this philosophy? Explain your answers.
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WEEK 5
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President Lyndon B. Johnson launched what he called the War on Poverty. If you were in charge of a war on poverty, what would you do? What measures would you take to combat poverty?
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Write 3-5 questions about what we have learned in Unit 8.