The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the key events in the period 1970-91 that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Key learning points
- In the 1970s, the USA and the USSR followed a policy of Détente, which led to reduced tensions and greater cooperation.
- Détente had ended by the end of the 1970s; events like the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to increased tensions.
- Reagan's confrontational approach led to a period of increased hostility known as the Second Cold War.
- Gorbachev's 'new thinking' encouraged a positive response from the USA and led to an improvement in US-Soviet relations.
- By the end of 1991, the USSR had collapsed due to economic problems and demands for independence from its republics.
Keywords
Détente - the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another
Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR
Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law
Dissolution - when a country or organisation officially ends or breaks apart
Common misconception
US-Soviet relations only began to decline when Reagan became US President in January 1981.
There had been a significant decline in superpower relations before Reagan became US President. For example, in 1979, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Carter’s response led to a serious increase in tension.
Teacher tip
Explain that historians disagree about when the Cold War ended. Ask students to debate the data/event that they consider to have marked the end of the Cold War. Suggestions could include the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Warsaw Pact and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Content guidance
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 term describes one of the multiple states that were joined together as part of the Soviet Union under the central Soviet government?
Q2.Complete the sentence: On 25th December 1991, Gorbachev resigned as Soviet leader and announced the of the Soviet Union.
Q3.When was Gorbachev’s ‘Sinatra Doctrine’ announced?
Q4.What event marked the end of decades of division and symbolised a new era of freedom and unity in Europe?
Q5.What was Boris Yeltsin’s role in the ‘Gang of Eight’’s coup against Gorbachev?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term describes the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another?
Q2.Complete the sentence: US President Ronald Reagan's confrontational approach led to a period of increased hostility known as the Cold War.
Q3.Whose 'new thinking' encouraged a positive response from the USA and led to an improvement in US-Soviet relations?
Q4.Which of the following events were reasons for the period of relaxed tensions in the Cold War in the 1970s?
Q5.Which of the following events led to an increase in tensions in the Cold War from 1981 onwards?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91, 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.