The Rosenbergs—executed for their role in a Soviet-era spy ring—continue the captivate the American imagination. Using a history lab format, young historians examine the trove of documents associated with the case, including photographs...

Covering the main events of the Cold War, this (mistitled) presentation includes photographs, political cartoons, and amusing graphics to illustrate its points. The information on the slides is helpful for an overview of the Cold War,...

Students identify major players in the Cold War and place them on a world map. They identify the two superpowers location on the map as well as their allies. Students analyze how the world divided itself.

In this online interactive American history worksheet, students respond to 13 matching questions regarding the Truman presidency and the Cold War. Students may check their answers immediately.

In these Cold War worksheets, students read about the space race between the United States and Russia. Students also read about the first man on the moon and answer 8 questions about the texts.

Students examine news about an espionage case. They work in small groups to research espionage and spy trials of the Cold War era. Students create oral presentations detailing presentations in specific cases.

Young scholars read an article on Vienna. In this ESL instructional activity, students explore a recent incident between Russia and the United States, then complete several activities that reinforce the information in the article.

A complete activity! The class reads the provided text, then answers the 7 critical-thinking questions. Topics covered are interpreting informational text, reading comprehension, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and US Policy. 

Was the House Un-American Activities Committee justified in investigating subversive influences in the entertainment industry? Part two of the three-part series of lessons that examine the anti-communism movement after World War II,...

Good for setting the context for 20th century foreign policy issues, these slides describe key points in Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, and Europe. US or World History classes will appreciate the concise list on each...

Students explore espionage. For this current events lesson, students research various Web sites for information about the history of spy work, Anglo-Russian relations, and spy gadgets. 

High schoolers discuss the Rosenberg spy case during the Cold War. They research and report on a recent or current investigation into espionage by people working for the U.S. government. Students find out what they can from newspapers,...

In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders analyze different scenarios and create possible solutions. 

Students investigate what constitutes an "un-American" activity and why Soviet espionage was such an important issue in the 1940's and 1950's. Joseph McCarthy's impact on American anticommunism is examined in this lesson plan. There are...

Students investigate the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962 and how that presence triggered an international crisis. The options available to the president as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each are articulated in...

Students investigate the goals and methods of the House Un-American Activities Committee and offer an opinion regarding whether their investigation of Hollywood was justifiable.

High schoolers research the history of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg as a lens through which to consider that cases involving a breach of national security tend to be very complicated. They reflect that problems with national security have...

Students examine the Korean nuclear escalation. In this current events lesson, students explore the nuclear arms race in Korea and the science that explains nuclear weapons.

Students explore the concept of individual rights. In this McCarthyism lesson, students determine how government may affect the rights of individuals as they examine the Constitution, participate in class discussions, and research the...

This site from the National Portrait Gallery explores presidential actions during the Cold War. Click on Dwight D. Eisenhower to see how the Cold War was developing and being handled during his presidency. Find out about the Communist...

Following the end of WW11, relations between the Soviet Union and the USA turned hostile and negative. Canada quickly became involved in the Cold War. An overview of this period of spying, propaganda, communist paranoia, and even...

1962's Cuban Missile Crisis was not the only time the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union almost went hot. Read this article to learn about the five cold war close calls.

A comprehensive look at U.S. foreign policy during the Eisenhower administration. The Cold War was at its height, and the United States used many tactics to fight and contain the spread of Communism. Be sure to watch the cartoon of Bert...

The companion site to a NOVA program on the role of submarines in the Cold War, this site provides a close-up view of life on a nuclear submarine. In addition, the transcript of the program is available, which details some of the ways...