The Cold War

The wartime alliance with the Soviet Union broke down before the end of 1945, reviving the fear of communism that had appeared in the Red Scare of the 1920s. Domestically, fear focused on the threat of Communist subversion of the government, a fear exploited by Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, who created panic by sensational but unfounded charges against the nation's leaders (including President Harry S. Truman, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, and Gen. George C. Marshall), accusing them of shielding traitors. Abroad, the focus was on the spread of Soviet control over Eastern Europe and Asia. The possibility of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union led the Civil Defense Agency to post signs in public buildings pointing to fallout shelters and to encourage homeowners to build backyard shelters. In subsequent decades, tension with the Soviet Union and Communist China continued to disrupt American life, notably when the United States led a United Nations effort to halt communist expansion in Korea (1950-53), a "police action" that required deployment of almost 1.8 million troops, cost more than 33,000 American lives, and drew little support from the American people; and even more so in the Vietnam War (1964-75), when the United States tried in vain to prevent the Communist regime in North Vietnam from defeating South Vietnam. Other episodes, such as the 1957 Soviet launching of the Sputnik satellite and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, added to the tension.

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War The Cold War defined world events for a generation, from the division of Europe, to the war in Vietnam, to the nuclear arms race. Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War puts students at the center of these issues. By understanding the critical themes of the era, students begin to understand the world today. The simulation sparks discussions on terrorism, political ideologies, and more! Topics covered: 20th Century History U.S. Foreign Policy World Events International Politi $149.00 CD-ROM | Grades 5-10

  
  Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War
  Grades 5-10 $149.00
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store
  	New Hampshire by Michael Teitelbaum SET FEATURES:     Primary source materials     A timeline shows the history of each colony     Recipes     Bibliography     Full-color maps and illustrations, age-appropriate activities, and emphasis on curricular connections   $25.20 You save: 30% Library Binding | Grades 4-6

  
  New Hampshire
  Grades 4-6 $25.20
  

Know Your Constitution
The United States Constitution is a system of basic laws and principles that defines the rights of American citizens and sets limits on what the government can and cannot do. Learn about America's most important document.

A Conflict in Black and White
Brief history of the civil rights movement in America from 1955 to 1968.

Teens Speak Out
New York City students share their eyewitness accounts of the attack on the World Trade Center.