The origins of the Cold War (1941-58)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the Cold War developed and then intensified between 1945 and 1958.
Key learning points
- Ideological differences meant there were tensions between the USA and USSR even when they were allies during WW2.
- From 1945, the Soviet creation of satellite states and the US development of the atomic bomb increased tensions.
- Concerned about Soviet expansion, Truman committed the USA to a policy of containment in 1947.
- In 1948, the Berlin Crisis significantly increased Cold War tensions.
- The Cold War intensified during the 1950s due to the escalation of the arms race and the Soviet invasion of Hungary.
Keywords
Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR
Ideology - a set of beliefs or ideas
Satellite state - a county that is dominated by another country
Arms race - when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength
Containment - using American influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries
Common misconception
Historians agree that the Cold War started in 1945 with the end of World War Two.
The breakdown of the wartime alliance and the emerging ideological rift between communism and capitalism unfolded over several years. The exact start date of the Cold War is often debated among historians.
Teacher tip
Ask students to plot the key developments between 1941 and 1958 on a graph to show the extent to which they increased or decreased tensions between the USA and the USSR.
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.The period of intense rivalry that existed between the USA and the USSR is known as the...
Q2.During which conference did the USA test their first atomic bomb?
Q3.In which year did Stalin order the blockade of Berlin?
Q4.Which of these were reasons for the superpowers' mistrust of one another?
Q5.Match the economic or political system to its description.
Free elections with multiple parties to choose from
Controlled elections with one party to choose from
Businesses outside of government ownership and control
All businesses owned and controlled by the government
Q6.Starting with the earliest, place the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these was a consequence of the Tehran Conference (1943)?
Q2.Why was the Truman Doctrine provocative?
Q3.Which of these statements about Marshall Aid are correct?
Q4.Which of these statements best describes Stalin's motivations for blockading Berlin in 1948?
Q5.Which of these statements best describes the development of the arms race in the 1940s and 50s?
Q6.Why did Khrushchev order the invasion of Hungary?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The origins of the Cold War (1941-58), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The origins of the Cold War (1941-58), 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.