Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why there were hopes for improved superpower relations in the early 1950s.
Key learning points
- New leaders came to power in both the USA and USSR after 1953.
- Khrushchev and Eisenhower both believed US and Soviet differences did not need to be settled through conflict.
- The 1955 Geneva Summit was attended by both Eisenhower and Khrushchev.
- The Geneva Summit was the first meeting between the leaders of the superpowers since the end of WW2.
- No agreements were reached during the Geneva Summit.
Keywords
Arms race - the situation in which two or more countries try to have more and stronger weapons than each other
Inevitable - something which you cannot avoid or prevent from happening
Summit - a meeting between different nations or political powers where key issues and problems are discussed
Common misconception
The arms race only made the superpowers more hostile towards one another.
The high costs and growing power of nuclear weapons developments meant both the USSR and USA were interested in finding ways to improve relations between them.
Teacher tip
Students should write a conclusion for Task B, offering their overall view on whether or not the 1955 Geneva Summit should be considered a successful demonstration of peaceful coexistence or not.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. Something is if you cannot avoid it or prevent it from happening.
Q2.Who was the leader of the USSR during the 1940s?
Q3.Which of the following countries was occupied by the USA, USSR, Britain and France after the end of World War Two?
Q4.Write the misisng word. In 1947, US President announced a US policy of containment.
Q5.Which Asian country became communist in 1949?
Q6.Whcih city was blockaded by the USSR from 1948 to 1949?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A is a meeting between different nations or political powers where key issues and problems are discussed.
Q2.Match the Cold War leaders to the correct descriptions.
US President from 1953-61
Leader of Soviet Union from the mid-1950s
Leader of the USSR until 1953
US President from 1945-53
Q3.Write the misisng word. The War ended in 1953.
Q4.Which world leader promoted the idea of peaceful coexistence?
Q5.Which statement about the Geneva Summit is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence, 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.