The Cold War of the 20th Century: Living Through Threat of Global Annihilation

Even before the end of WWII, the Cold War began that nearly led to global annihilation through use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. and Soviet Union. Central Question for the Unit: How can fear motivate choice of actions?

Course Lecture PowerPoint Slides and Other Materials

• Instructor Master PP Slides

• Student PP Slides

Course Lecture Video Recordings

• Music Video Overview of the Unit (2:30 minutes) Music: "Cold War Kids" performed by Jonnie Horden. I liked the quiet performance talking about what it was like to grow up during the period of the potential world-wide nuclear destruction. This was the era that I grew up.

• (Video) Part One

• (Video) Part Two

• (Video) Part Three

• (Video) Part Four

• (Video) Part Five

• (Video) Part Six

Required Readings and Media

• Study Guide Questions for Assigned Readings and Media (PDF)

• Datillo, The Berlin Airlift Begins (PDF Transcript)

• Datillo, The Berlin Airlift Begins (Audio)

• Datillo, McCarthy Hearings (PDF Transcript)

• Datillo, McCarthy Hearings (Audio)

• Khrushchev's Speech for Peaceful Coexistence to the Chinese (PDF) URL

• President Kennedy, Cuban Missile Crisis TV Speech (PDF Transcript)

• President Kennedy, Cuban Missile Crisis TV Speech (Audio)

• President Kennedy, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" (I am a Berliner) Speech (PDF Transcript)

• President Kennedy, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" (I am a Berliner) Speech (Audio)

Supplemental Learning Materials (Not required for major exams)

• Link to Cold War Supplemental Learning Materials