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A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History
The Cold War Back to History Unit

(a) describing outcomes of World War II, including political boundary changes, the formation of the United Nations, and the Marshall Plan;

Iron Curtain Interactive Map
CNN Interactive: The Cold War Experience

Description: This component of a sophisticated project website presents a good interactive graphic of the boundaries of Soviet control in central and eastern Europe, which Winston Churchill dubbed the "Iron Curtain." (Secondary source material).



Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestions

  • Students can brainstorm about the social implications of having a political boundary that divided countries such as Germany and Austria. Have them write any ideas they have in a journal and then share these ideas with the class. They could also reflect on the existence of such social division and political boundaries that may have existed in America at different points in time.
Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson
  • Referring to the four different text buttons on the map, demonstrate to students the different ways that certain countries in Eastern Europe were occupied during the Cold War. Discuss the political repercussions of these divisions, asking students to consider the occupation's place in the greater context of the Cold War.

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