Lesson Plan: Deterrence & Détente
Grades 8-12
Students will examine Soviet motives for placing missiles in Cuba and the impact of the Cuban missile crisis on Soviet-American relations, leading to the adoption of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
* This lesson was created in partnership with New Visions for Public Schools as part of their U.S. Cold War unit. There are four lessons total in the “Fear, Technology & Media” sub-unit. All of these materials and more can be found at New Visions.
Subjects:
U.S. History, World History
Grade Level:
8-12
Lesson Duration:
One (60-75 minutes) or two class periods (40-45 minutes)
Essential Questions:
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How did the Cold War leave lasting impacts on American politics, culture, and daily life?
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Inquiry Question: How did Cold War technology and propaganda shape the everyday lives of Americans?
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Supporting Question: How did official nuclear strategies like Deterrence and Détente influence the public anxiety and assuage fears?
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Lesson Objectives:
Students will:
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Analyze the transition from the policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) to Détente by evaluating primary source treaty documents and quantitative data.
Materials:
- Retro Report Video “Why the Cold War Race for Nuclear Weapons is Still a Threat” (Transcript)
Standards
Common Core Literacy Standards
- 11-12.RH1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the source as a whole.
- 11-12.RH7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
- 11-12.WHST9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
