Contrasting Cold War Terms

Pair-Share

What are the ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union?

Objective:

Students will be able to analyze the ideological differences between the U.S. and the USSR by analyzing placards

Overview of the Cold War

After WWII, differing interests and ideologies of the United States and the Soviet Union led to mutual suspicion, hostility, and eventually indirect conflict that lasted for over 40 years. This conflict is called the Cold War. Although the two superpowers never engaged in direct military action against one another, they competed with and confronted each other in a variety of other ways.

The Soviet Union an the United States created opposing alliance systems in Europe; competed for influence among emerging nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; engaged in nuclear arms and space races; and supported opposing forces –directly or indirectly in wars from Afghanistan to Nicaragua to Vietnam.

Directions:

In this activity you will learn eight key Cold War terms to help you understand the contrasting values that led to the tension between the U.S. & Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Directions

You and your partner will receive a placard with an image and a caption on it. Look carefully at each placard and decide which of the eight Cold War terms listed below that placard represents.

When you have found the correct corresponding term, place the letter of the placard in the column labeled “Placard.”

Next, fill out the remaining two columns with the information requested.

Placard A

Placard B

Placard C

Placard D

Placard E

Placard F

Placard G

Placard H

The United StatesEconomy

Capitalism– Different economic classes– Private ownership of industry– Freedom of competition– Survival of the fittest– Laissez-faire (less regulations on

business)

The Soviet UnionEconomy

Socialism (Communism)– Government ownership of industry– Created as a reaction to capitalism– Goal = economic equality,

classless society

United StatesPolitics

Democratic– Government by the people– Two forms

Representativedirect

Soviet UnionPolitics

Totalitarian– Government by one or a few– Total control over all aspects of

life– No freedom of speech or the press

United States Key Values

Freedom– The condition of being free

Most valued–Press–Speech–Freedom to do business

Soviet UnionKey Values

Equality– Condition of being equal– Most valued

Basic needs are met such as food, housing, education, jobs

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The United StatesSociety

Individual– Stresses the need for people to do

things on their own– Competition – best get to the top– Laissez-faire

Soviet Union Collective

Collective– Stresses the need for people to do

things together– All for one and one for all– Example: - collective farms