Lesson on Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Aim: Why did the Russians pull their missiles out of Cuba?

Bell Ringer: Review Attachment B, p.4-8

Objectives:

1. Students will examine causes, course, and consequences of the early years of the Cold War (Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO, Warsaw Pact).

2. Students will analyze significant foreign policy events during the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations.

Agenda:

1. Bell Ringer (10/15 min)

2. Cuban Missile Crisis: Introduction - Review what students have already learned about the Cold War and explain that it continued for decades.
In 1959, Cuba became a Communist country, led by Fidel Castro. This development brought the Cold War close to home because Cuba is 90 miles off the coast of Florida (you might want to point this out on a map).
John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 and oversaw two major events that involved Cuba: 1) the Bay of Pigs invasion; 2) the Cuban Missile Crisis.

3. Play United Streaming Video Segment: The “Hour of Maximum Danger”- http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=29DCDDD5- 57CA-4660-96AC-E34EBCEEA4E5&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
Have students answer the following questions:
• According to the video, why did the Russians pull the missiles out of Cuba?
• What do you think they mean by “delicate, behind-the-scenes negotiations?” Today we’re going to look at some of those “delicate” negotiations.

4. Hand out Cuban Missile Crisis Documents A-C and Guiding Questions. Students should answer the questions in pairs.

5. Debrief:
• According to these documents, what deal did the U.S. strike with the U.S.S.R.?
• Why was this deal kept secret?
• Is this deal mentioned in the classroom textbook?
• Why might the textbook not have mentioned this deal?
• Who seems more scared or on the defensive in this documents?
• What does this event show you about how people felt during the Cold War?

Home Learning:

Journal 63 – Choose a "Debrief" question.

Complete questions on Documents A-C

Study for tomorrow's Cold War Exam (Use Attachment B as a study guide)