Change in Post-War America
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate interpretations of experiences of life in post-war America.
Key learning points
- Most Americans enjoyed rising incomes after WW2.
- Poverty remained widespread and other economic inequalities remained.
- Widespread TV and radio ownership allowed many Americans to access popular culture.
- Teenage identity and interests were considered dangerous by some older Americans.
- The Red Scare threatened many Americans civil liberties.
Keywords
McCarthyism - McCarthyism was the campaign against alleged communists in the USA led by Joseph McCarthy
Communism - communism is the belief that wealth should be shared equally between people
Civil liberties - the freedom people have to do, think, and say what they want is known as civil liberties
Common misconception
There is always a singular accurate interpretation of events and periods in history.
There can be many accurate interpretations of historical periods and these may differ from one another depending on what they focus on.
Teacher tip
Students could also be asked at the end of Task A to discuss in pairs or larger groups why interpretations A and B may have come to different views. You may support these discussions by asking pupils to consider the process historians follow to form their views of the past.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. Many people investigated as suspected communists during the Red Scare were , meaning they were blocked from getting jobs.
Q2.Who became a prominent leader in the hunt for communists during the Red Scare?
Q3.How many American communist spies were found by the Loyalty programme?
Q4.Why was the 'loss' of China important for the second Red Scare in the USA?
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronologoical order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the campaign against alleged communists in the USA led by Joseph McCarthy referred to as?
Q2.What new genre of music was particularly popular with American teenagers in the 1940s and 1950s?
Q3.Which of the following groups was often targeted by McCarthyism?
Q4.Which statement is most accurate?
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Change in Post-War America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Change in Post-War America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.