Introduction
Central Question: What was containment and how was it applied during 1947 - 1948?
In August 1945, Americans triumphantly celebrated the end of World War II1939-1945. The sacrifices, fears, and tragedy of the last four years of war were finally over. The peace, however, proved to be short-lived. Questions over the future of war-torn Europe quickly arose as did the debate over how to handle it. Former allies quickly became enemies as democratic and communist nations attempted to shape the future of Europe and the world at-large. A Cold WarLasted from post World War II to 1991 commenced that would be waged across the globe for the next 50 years as the United States and Soviet Union struggled for dominance in the world.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe the response by western nations to the Soviet Union's refusal to hold free elections in Europe.
- Discuss the significance of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.
- Explain the policy of containment.
- Describe the events surrounding the Berlin Airlift.
- Evaluate the causes of the Cold War.
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: US History 11 Objectives: 11 & 11.2.
This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R2, R7, R9, W4, W6, W7, W9, & W10.
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