Inquiry - The Cold War: Was the Cold War Ideological?

ORIENTATING PHASE: Introduction to the Cold War

Why are we studying this?, I hear you say...
As the conflict in the Ukraine hots up, there is something for us to learn from this in terms of its relevance to our study of the Cold War. Much of that which Russian President Putin projects in his militaristic actions in Crimea (southern Ukraine) is being reported as the continuation of Cold War tensions between Russia (former U.S.S.R) and the West (predominantly the US and Britain).

Questions to note:
1) What is actually happening in the Ukraine at present - what is causing the conflict?
2) Where have connections been made to the Cold War? And, what can we learn about the Cold War at this early stage from viewing these developments?
3) How does the ABC News broadcaster from the US portray/represent each participant in the conflict, and those diplomatically involved? Are they positioning the viewer to be sympathetic to a certain 'side'? Why might they do this?

Now, here is a link to a recent article about the Ukraine written by former Prime Minister of Australia during the Cold War Malcolm Fraser (1975-83) which sheds further light on the dilemma, with particular connections made to the conflict's origins coming from decisions made throughout the Cold War. There are many Cold War related points made in the article that may not make sense to you at this stage. Note any questions you have and bring to next class ready for discussion and clarification: ARTICLE LINK

Further news on the developments in the Ukraine:
ABC AUSTRALIA REPORTS
ALJAZEERA REPORTS
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD REPORTS

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ENHANCING PHASE: Origins of the Cold War

FOCUS QUESTIONS: 
What are the key concepts and definitions associated with this inquiry? (DEFINITIONS)
Who are the major theorists and historians associated with this inquiry? And are there differing perspectives associated with the interpretation of Cold War evidence? (SOURCES)
What was the cause of the Cold War? And, what roles did individuals and groups play in the origins of the Cold War? (BACKGROUNDS, CHANGES & CONTINUITIES - MOTIVES & CAUSES)

RECOMMENDED READING:
Evans, P. et al. (2007) Twentieth Century History: 1945-2000. HTAV, Australia. pp.37-53: DOCUMENT LINK 1 and DOCUMENT LINK 2

RESOURCES:

Cold War Timeline and exercise: DOCUMENT LINK
Cold War Historiography: DOCUMENT LINK
The Marxist Vision: DOCUMENT LINK
East Vs West: DOCUMENT LINK
Post WWII Geographical Break up of Germany map: DOCUMENT LINK
Post WWII Geographical Break up of Berlin map: DOCUMENT LINK
List of Cold War Leaders: DOCUMENT LINK
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences: DOCUMENT LINK
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan: DOCUMENT LINK
Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech and Stalin's retort: DOCUMENT LINK

HOMEWORK TASKS:

COLD WAR Homework Task 1: 'TIMELINE' - read through the timeline of events and complete the ordering activities at the end - this will give you a fair idea of the complexity, time frame, the significant people and events, and the diversity of issues involved in the Cold War: DOCUMENT LINK

COLD WAR Homework Task 2: 'HISTORIOGRAPHY' - In your research journal, on a new page titled 'SOURCES', with the focus question as a sub-heading written underneath the heading: 'Are there differing interpretations of the evidence relating to the Cold War?', respond to the 2 questions on the document here after reading through the information regarding 'historiography': DOCUMENT LINK

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SYNTHESISING PHASE: Significant Events of the Cold War

INQUIRY TASK:

You are required to select a topic on the Cold War that focuses on US and or USSR relations. Analyse and evaluate a range of sources to help you investigate this topic. Develop a hypothesis based upon your research and explore and support this hypothesis in a MULTI-MODAL PRESENTATION.

You will be assessed on THREE CRITERIA:

1. Planning & using an historical research process
2. Forming historical knowledge through critical inquiry
3. Communicating Historical Knowledge 

Category 3 Non-Written Research Assignment:  ASSIGNMENT TASK SHEET LINK

Category 3 Criteria: DOCUMENT LINK
Teacher Draft/Peer Evaluation Sheet: DOCUMENT LINK
SUBMISSION FOLDER: LINK
 
RESOURCES:
Hypothesis construction: Document Link
Reflections on Research: Document link
Planning your presentation model 1: Document Link
Planning you presentation model 2: Document Link
TEECL Paragraph writing: Link to resource folder
Structuring Your writing (this is analytical essay structure, but the same applies for analytical presentations): Document Link
Evaluation process without disrupting the argument: DOCUMENT LINK
Global Reflection guidance (board notes): DOCUMENT LINK