Early causes of tension between the USA and the USSR
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why there was tension and disagreement between the USA and the USSR at the end of the Second World War.
Key learning points
- The Grand Alliance put aside their differences during the Second World War to defeat their common enemy, Nazi Germany.
- Tensions emerged amongst the Grand Alliance because of different ideologies and priorities.
- Important agreements were made at the Tehran Conference and the Yalta Conference about the post-war world.
- Tensions increased at the Potsdam Conference for a range of reasons including a change in US President.
- The Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe remained a source of significant tension between the USA and USSR.
Keywords
Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR
USSR - a collection of states known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; also known as the Soviet Union
Ideologies - sets of beliefs and ideas
Communist - relating to a system of government where all property is owned by the state and resources are shared equally
Capitalist - relating to an economic system where businesses and resources are owned privately for profit
Common misconception
There was only significant tension between members of the Grand Alliance at the Potsdam Conference when the war had ended and Roosevelt had been replaced by Truman as US President.
Although tensions increased significantly by the Potsdam Conference, there was a high level of mistrust between the members of the Grand Alliance from early on. This is illustrated by Stalin's concern about the delays in opening a second front.
Teacher tip
Explore American and Soviet attitudes in more depth by analysing contemporary political cartoons.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who were the winners of World War Two (WW2)?
Q2.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q3.Who was on the side of Germany in WW2?
Q4.What was the USSR also known as?
Q5.Match the country to the wartime leader during WW2.
Franklin Roosevelt
Winston Churchill
Joseph Stalin
Adolf Hitler
Q6.WW2 finally ended on September 2, 1945 following the surrender of which country?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR?
Q2.What was the ideology of the USSR during WW2?
Q3.What was the ideology of the USA during WW2?
Q4.Put the events in the correct chronological order.
Q5.Why was there a change in leadership at the Potsdam Conference?
Q6.What did Truman announce the day after the Potsdam Conference began?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Early causes of tension between the USA and the USSR, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Early causes of tension between the USA and the USSR, 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 Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.