WD

1. Essay 6 – Reasons for the end
of the ‘Cold War’

2. KEY
If you see this symbol you must take notes
If you see this symbol you must not take
notes

3. Today’s lesson
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of the
reasons why the Cold War ended.
Today will be able to:
1) Explain at least four reasons why the Cold War ended.
Today’s lesson will involve:
1) Build up notes on the topic.
2) Plan a 20 mark essay.
3) Pass a 20 mark timed essay.

4. Past Papers
2013
“The economic weakness of the Soviet Union led to the
end of the Cold War.” How valid is this view?
2012
How important was the role of Gorbachev in ending the
Cold War?

5. Introduction
Background
On 3rd December 1989 the Presidents of the USA and the Soviet Union held
a meeting on the Mediterranean island of Malta in which they agreed that
the Cold War was over. The Cold War started in the 1950’s and involved
continued aggression between the communist Soviet Union and the
capitalist USA (Give 1 fact about the Cold War).
Factors
There are many reasons why the Cold War ended including (List Factors)
Line of Argument
Overall the most important reason why the Cold War ended was due to ….
Because…

6. Model paragraph - Defeat in Afghanistan
TS: One reason why the Cold War ended in 1990 was due to the
defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
K1:
K2:
A: This led to the end of the Cold War because…
A+: However…

7. Model paragraph – Failure of Communism
TS: One reason why the Cold War ended in 1990 was due to the
failure of communism in many Eastern European countries.
K1: (Speak about Poland)
K2: (Speak about East Germany)
A: This led to the end of the Cold War because…
A+: However…

8. Model paragraph – Economic Differences
TS: One reason why the Cold War ended was due to the economic
differences between the West & the East.
K1: (Speak about economic strength of the West).
K2: (Speak about economic problems that the East faced)
A: This led to the end of the Cold War because…
A+: However…

9. Model paragraph – Role of Gorbachev
TS: One reason why the Cold War ended was due to the role of the
Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev who came into power in 1985.
K1: Gorbachev’s policies - Glasnost and Perestroika
K2: Gorbachev’s foreign policies
A: This led to the end of the Cold War because…
A+: However…

10. Model paragraph – Role of Reagan
TS: One reason why the Cold War ended was due to the role of the US
President Ronald Reagan who came into power in 1981.
K1: Reagan Doctrine
K2: Reagan’s policies.
A: This led to the end of the Cold War because...
A+: However..

11. Conclusion formula
The least important factor is ….because…., it is less important than
(insert pivotal factor) because … The second least important factor
is….because…., which is less important than (insert pivotal factor)
because ….. The next important factor is….because…., which is less
important than (insert pivotal factor) because ….. The second most
important factor is….because…., which is less important than (insert
pivotal factor) because ….. Which makes (insert pivotal factor) the most
important because …

12. To what extent did the actions of President Reagan lead to
the end of the Cold War?
Introduction
Context – x2 – When? Who? What?
LOA – ‘’This essay will argue that Reagan was/was not the most important
factor in ending the Cold War. It will argue that …….. is the most important
Factors – x3
Paragraphs
• At least 4 developed factors.
• K x2 – accurate and relevant to your analysis
• A/A+ for each factor which MUST ATQ!!! – Answer the question!
• EV - a judgement on the importance of each factor by comparing it with
your pivotal factor
Conclusion
• Overall judgements and summary of analysis and evaluations – start with
least important and work up to the most important making judgements on
all
• Supporting the judgement with reason/s - give two reasons why (or one
developed reason) to support the main judgement