Truman's idea that it was the USA's responsibility to prevent the spread of communism around the world

using American influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries

an approach to international relations that is based on not getting involved in the affairs of other countries

an American programme of economic aid that aimed to stop the spread of communism by supporting countries to recover from the Second World War

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

History

Causes of tension between the USA and USSR by 1945

The impact of the atomic bomb on US-Soviet relations

Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948

The Berlin Crisis (1948)

The Cold War arms race

The Hungarian Uprising (1956)

The origins of the Cold War (1941-58)

Berlin, 1958-61: increased tensions

Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall

The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

The Prague Spring (1968)

The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)

Cold War crises, 1958-70

Détente and SALT I

The Helsinki Accords and SALT II

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Reagan and the 'Second Cold War'

Gorbachev's 'new thinking'

The fall of the Berlin Wall

The collapse of the Soviet Union

The end of the Cold War, 1970-91

In this unit pupils undergo a period study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the relationship between the USA and the USSR in this period.

Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Complete the sentence: Truman was concerned that high levels of poverty would allow {{}} to spread more easily in post-war Europe.

US policy to prevent the spread of communism.

US policy of not getting involved in the affairs of other countries.

US programme of aid that aimed to stop the spread of communism.

Truman's idea that it was the US' responsibility to prevent communism.

Match the keywords to the correct definitions.

Complete the sentence: In response to the Marshall Plan, Stalin established {{}} in 1947 and {{}} in 1949.

After seven years of war, Britain was almost bankrupt.

After six years of war, Britain was almost bankrupt.

After six years of war, Britain wanted to become isolationist.

After five years of war, Britain was focusing on domestic issues

Why was Britain unable to financially support post-war recovery in Western Europe like Truman hoped?

How much aid did Truman announce the US was sending to Greece and Turkey in March 1947?

What was the official name of the Marshall Plan?

What was Stalin determined to create in Eastern Europe to protect the USSR against future attack?

Which keyword describes a government in which two or more political parties work together to run a country?

Which of the following countries were occupied by the Red Army by the time of the Potsdam Conference in July 1945? 

Coalition governments were set up so communists shared power with other parties.

The communists took over key areas that would allow them to control the country.

The communists intimidated/attacked their opponents so they were forced to flee.

Rigged elections were held to ensure the communists won.

Put the following methods of Soviet takeover of Eastern European governments in order, starting with the earliest.

At Yalta and Potsdam, Stalin secured a large amount of land in eastern Poland.

Many Poles hated/feared the USSR and were angry about the lost territory.

At Yalta and Tehran, Stalin secured a large amount of land in western Poland.

Many Russians hated/feared Poland and were angry about the lost territory.

Why did Stalin have to use rigged elections in Poland to ensure a communist government?

Britain was a threat to freedom and world peace.

The USA was a threat to freedom and world peace.

The USSR was a threat to freedom and world peace.

What view did Winston Churchill present in his 'Iron Curtain' speech in 1946?

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

Lesson outcome

Content guidance