The Cold War arms race
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the arms race led to an increase in Cold War tension between the USA and the USSR.
Key learning points
- The establishment of NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955) divided Europe into two rival alliance systems.
- The American development of the atomic bomb started an arms race between the USA and the USSR.
- In 1953, hopes that new leaders in the USA and USSR would improve relations were short-lived: the arms race continued.
- The development of ICBMs (1957) meant the USA and USSR could fire nuclear weapons at targets in different continents.
- Both the USA and the USSR developed huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a form of deterrence.
Keywords
Arms race - when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength
Superpower - a country that has great power and influence globally; the USA and USSR were superpowers during the Cold War period
Summit - a meeting between leaders to discuss significant issues or make important decisions
ICBM - intercontinental ballistic missile; missiles that could fire a nuclear warhead at targets in different continents
Deterrence - using the threat of force to prevent something from happening
Common misconception
NATO was established in response to Stalin setting up the Warsaw Pact.
The Warsaw Pact was a response to NATO's formation in April 1949 (following the Berlin Crisis and Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia).
Teacher tip
Encourage students to practise writing narrative accounts that focus on analysis rather than telling a story.
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.Which keyword describes an attempt to prevent goods, people or supplies from entering or leaving a certain area?
Q2.Which keyword describes the transportation of people or goods by air, often used when other forms of transport are not available?
Q3.Complete the sentence with the two missing words: Stalin's response to the creation of and the introduction of the in 1948 led to the Berlin Crisis.
Q4.How many tonnes of supplies were being delivered to Berlin per day by the Allies by September 1948?
Q5.Which country left the Allied Control Commission in March 1948?
Q6.Which of the following were consequences of the Berlin Crisis?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength?
Q2.Complete the sentence with the correct years: The establishment of NATO in and the Warsaw Pact in divided Europe into two rival alliance systems.
Q3.What military technology was created in 1957 which significantly increased tensions between the USSR and the USA?
Q4.Complete the sentence: Both the USA and the USSR developed huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a form of .
Q5.How much did America spend on arms per year by 1953?
Q6.What idea did the new Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, believe in which should have decreased Cold War tensions?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Cold War arms race, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Cold War arms race, 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 Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.