Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Read about the tense 1962 standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union that nearly resulted in nuclear war.
![Truman Library: Telegram, George Kennan to George Marshall [Pdf] Primary](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Truman Library: Telegram, George Kennan to George Marshall [Pdf] Primary")
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Truman Library: Telegram, George Kennan to George Marshall [Pdf]
See the "long telegram" sent by George Kennan to Secretary of State George Marshall in which he expressed his unflattering view of the USSR.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: u.s. Urges Alliance for Progress
In the field of foreign affairs, President Kennedy faced a series of challenging situations in Cuba, in Southeast Asia, and in Berlin. In 1961, he initiiated a program called the Alliance for Progress aimed to establish economic...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: On American Intervention in Korea, 1950
The Modern History Sourcebook offers a very interesting primary source that presents the Soviet position of the beginning of the Korean War. A great resource for comparing US/USSR claims about the origins of the Korean War.
The History Place
The History Place: The Vietnam War America Commits
This site from The History Place provides a lengthy timeline, accented with many quotations, explaining how America came to be directly involved in Vietnam. This is a great site to check out on the subject.
BBC
Bbc: 1954: Us Tests Hydrogen Bomb in Bikini
This site explains the awesome power and destructive force associated with exploding a hydrogen bomb. Site is brief but informative. A great introduction to learning about the hydrogen bomb.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Mc Carthyism" by Us history.org
A learning module that begins with "McCarthyism" by USHistory.org, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and...
Digital History
Digital History: The Reagan Revolution in Perspective
By the end of Reagan's second presidential term, the US was a much different country than it had been when he became president in 1980. During his 8 years in office, Reagan accomplished many things, some good and some bad, and definitely...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Onto the National Stage
Women gained the right to vote and began to become active members of Congress as the United States faced many challenges. Early congresswomen served during the Great Depression, WWII, and the start of the Cold War. They had a voice in...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Kennedy's Global Challenge
The Cold War was still being waged during John Kennedy's administration. Read about the challenges he faced in Europe, Latin America, and, most ominously, in Cuba.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: Period 9: 1980 Present: The Gulf War
Learn about how the United States led a UN coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraq in 1991.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: Period 9: 1980 Present: The Iran Contra Affair
Learn how Reagan's administration was embroiled in scandal when it came to light that the United States had sold weapons to Iran and funneled the money to Nicaraguan rebels.
Digital History
Digital History: Years of Decision [Pdf]
This site is from a unit that covers the period from the Second World War up to the Cold War. It looks at relations between the United States and the Soviet Union and the thinking of their leaders. Students are asked to consider five...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: Marshall Plan
Excerpts from an interview with George C. Marshall concerning the Marshall Plan. Questions are also supplied to assist in expansion of knowledge about the topics.
City University of New York
American Social History Proj.: Decoding u.s. Foreign Policy: Iran Contra Affair
Students explore the Iran-Contra Affair using a timeline and related documents, and practice critical thinking about US foreign policy during the late Cold War years, and about the actions of officials of Ronald Reagan's government. They...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Estonia: The Soviet Era, 1940 85
This article examines the role of the Soviet Union in the governing of Estonia during World War II and the Cold War.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Soviet Reaction to Pact
This site from the Fordham University provides a great alternative perspective of the Baghdad Pact and the Central Treaty Organization. This is a statement given by the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Security in the Near and Middle...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers, a study of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967, were leaked by whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg to the New York Times newspaper in March 1971 revealing that the US government had been...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Military Industrial Complex Speech Eisenhower
This is a speech given by President Eisenhower during the last days of his administration. In it, he cautions against the growing power and influence of the American military-industrial complex. A great primary source that still contains...
Other
Aerostories: Gary Powers' Misadventure
An excellent resource for learning about the U-2 spy plane flown by Francis Gary Powers that was shot down over Russia in 1960. Contains a very detailed examination of the origins of spy plane missions plus fabulous details that bring...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Apollo Soyuz: Space Age Detente
In July 1975, the first joint Soviet-American spacecraft docking took place. In this activity, students will analyze the way that government officials in both the United States and the Soviet Union valued space exploration for more than...
Curated OER
The Reagan Years: Inside the White House
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan Years", this site provides you with brief explanations of the US in 1980, the 1980 presidential election and assorted topics of Reagan's presidency including the assassination attempt, the...
Curated OER
The Reagan Years: Inside the White House
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan Years", this site provides you with brief explanations of the US in 1980, the 1980 presidential election and assorted topics of Reagan's presidency including the assassination attempt, the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Detente
The establishment of detente following the Cuban Missile Crisis was a period of improved relations, cooperation, and an easing of tensions between the two superpowers of the East and the West and a temporary 'thaw' in US-Soviet relations.