Nuclear Threats and the Cold War: A Concise History

1
Nuclear Threats and
the Cold War
By: Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Gregg Berry, B.A.

Free PowerPoint Version
At slideshare.com
 Type PPT title or dean r berry
2

3
When countries start shooting at
each other, it generally means that
their disagreements have “heated up”
and tempers have “boiled over”.

4
However, before countries engage in
warfare, they usually go through a very
unfriendly period of time when they
threaten each other, flex their military
muscle or refuse to speak to each other.

5
For over 46 years the United States and
the Soviet Union (Russia) did not
engage in military warfare, but they did
have a very “chilly” relationship known
as the Cold War.

7
After World War II was over, the U.S. and its allies
divided Germany and occupied its capital, Berlin.
The U.S. and the Soviet Union did not trust each
other and had very different political systems;
conflict between the two powerful countries grew
year by year.

A Divided World
Beginning in the 1960’s, the world was
composed of democratic countries,
communist countries, and military
dictatorships. The balance of power
between the most powerful countries was
very important. Converting more countries
to your own style of government could tip
the balance of power in your favor.
8

The communist countries are in red
and the democratic countries are in
yellow, green and blue.

Discuss
 What does “balance of power mean”?
 If there are two rival gangs and one gets
much larger very quickly, how might that
change the balance of power in the area?
 How could a change in the balance of
power be dangerous when nuclear
weapons are involved?
10

After World War ll was over, the Soviet Union wanted
to create a large sphere of influence in Eastern
Europe. The goal was to create as many communist
controlled countries as possible and to rule with an
iron fist. Since some people feared communist
control, the Soviet Union decided to build a fortified
wall between free Europe and East Berlin.
11

12
The Soviet Union refused to let East
German citizens leave the country.
People who wanted to leave were
captured or shot when they tried to
escape.

The Berlin Wall prevented East
Germans from leaving if they disliked
the lack of freedoms provided by their
communist government.

German families on both sides hated
the wall that keep them from moving
freely through Germany. Inside the wall
was a “death strip” that enforced the
wall’s restrictions.

The Berlin Wall separated communist
Germany from the rest of western Europe
from August 13,1961 until 1989.

Discuss
What would you do if your
government divided your city
in half and separated you and
family members with a
fortified wall?
17

18
In addition to East Germany,
the Soviet Union controlled all
of the Eastern European
countries with an “Iron Fist”.
Military forces kept people
from moving from one city or
country to another.

After 28 years, the Berlin Wall was opened
on November 13, 1989, signifying the end of
the iron curtain in Europe

The Cuban Missile Crisis
One of the most dangerous periods of the
cold war was a 14 day confrontation
between the Soviet Union and the United
States. Both countries had been in an arms
race and had enough nuclear weapons to
completely destroy each other.
22

The world came very close to a
nuclear war during the Cuban
Missile Crisis.

Fidel Castro was the Cuban dictator
who wanted to implement a communist
style government in Cuba.

In 1962 the United States attempted to
overthrow the Cuban communist government in
a military operation called the “Bay of Pigs”. The
Soviet Union decided to help Cuba by setting up
nuclear missiles aimed at the U.S. and only 90
miles away from Florida.
25

Soviet Union nuclear weapons were set up
at several sites in Cuba and were capable of
wiping out the United States.

In response to the Soviet Union’s attempt to move
nuclear missiles into Cuba, the United States set
up a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent Soviet
ships from delivering missiles to Cuba.

American war ships patrolled
around Cuba and blocked
Soviet Union ships carrying
missiles.

Americans were very worried
about a nuclear war that could
kill millions of people.

Nuclear missiles in Cuba could
reach every city in the U.S.

Kennedy and Khrushchev negotiated at
the last minute to avert a possible
world wide nuclear war.

After 14 days, the Soviet Union
backed down and removed all
the missiles from Cuba.

Discuss
The Soviet Union and its
satellite countries had
communist style governments.
Do you know what a communist
run country is like?
33

34
The Soviet Union
spread communism, a
form of government
dominated by a few,
to many other
countries.

During the Cold War period, the Soviet Union and
the United States were in an “arms race” to
produce enough nuclear weapons to destroy each
other in the event of an attack.
36

Nuclear warhead missiles were easily
moved around and hidden making
inspection and verification difficult.

Nuclear bombs were stock piled
by Russia and the United States.

Class Discussion
 Concern about nuclear weapons began
with the cold war during the 1960’s and is
still a major factor in the world today.
 What is a nuclear weapon?
 What is a nuclear warhead?
 How much damage could be done by
nuclear warheads?
39

Discuss
 Do you know which countries have
nuclear weapons today?
 Why do you think the United States
does not want smaller countries to
acquire nuclear weapons?
40

42
During the 1980’s, some areas of the Soviet
Union began to rebel against oppressive rule.
By 1991 the Soviet Union fell apart and
became many separate countries.

Breaking News
 On September 28, 2013, the United States
and Russia entered into an historic
agreement to force Syria to identify all of
their chemical weapons and allow them to be
destroyed. While it is still too early to predict
future success, relations between the U.S.
and Russia may or may not be improving. By
2016, relations became very tense.
44

45
By 1991 Russia, the largest part of the
Soviet Union, was the only nuclear power
left in the original Union.
Gradually, Russia became more like the
United States and less of a military threat.
While the cold war doesn’t exist today,
relations between the U.S. and Russia can
be strained at times. In 2016, Russia
illegally interfered with the presidential
election and helped elect Donald Trump.

Discuss
 Should Syria be punished for using
chemical weapons against its own people?
 What should the United States do if Syria
is dishonest about giving up its chemical
weapons?
 Under what circumstances should the U.S.
use military force?
46

Second News Flash!
 On November 24, 2013, the United States
announced a negotiated deal with Iran to
inspect and monitor Iran’s nuclear program. The
two countries have been intense enemies for
many years, since Iran sponsors terrorism. The
deal is for only six months and is considered a
beginning point. Time will tell if the agreement is
actually followed. Unfortunately, by 2017,
President Trump cancelled the Iran deal against
the wishes of American’s most important allies.
47

48
Check-up and Review
Raise your green card if you believe
the statement is true or your red
card if you think it is false.

49
True or False-1
After World War II was over,
Germany was divided and
occupied by four countries
including the United States
and the Soviet Union.

51
True or False-2
The “Cold War” was a two
year war between the
United States and the Soviet
Union and resulted in the
deaths of over 200,000
people.

53
True or False-3
During the “Cold War,” the
main goal of the Soviet Union
was to spread communism as
a form of government to as
many European and Asian
countries as possible.

55
True or False-4
The “Iron Curtain” was a
huge fence put up by the
United States to keep
communism from spreading
to more countries in Europe.

57
True or False-5
From 1945 to 1987, people
who lived behind the “Iron
Curtain” in Poland, Hungary,
East Germany, and Romania
lived under a totalitarian
government and had no
individual rights or freedoms.

59
True or False-6
Communist countries such
as North Korea, China, and
Cuba enjoy many individual
freedoms provided by their
government.

61
True or False-7
During the “Cold War” the United
States and the Soviet Union help
each other with natural disasters,
hand many cultural changes, and
allowed their scientists to work
together to create new
technologies.

63
True or False-8
The “Cold War” has thawed
and relations between the
United States and Russia
are better than in the past.

65
True or False-9
Today the United States
views Russia as its number
one enemy since most
terrorists come from that
country.

67
True or False-10
By 1991 the Soviet Union
lost control over countries
and territories it had once
dominated and split into
several smaller countries.

69
True or False-11
During the 1980’s people
who tried to leave
communist East Berlin were
shot or captured and
returned.

71
True or False-12
During the “Cold War” the
U.S. and Soviet Union were
in an “arms race” to
produce enough nuclear
weapons to destroy each
other.

73
Cold War Test I
1. This divided Germany and its capital,
Berlin, into east and west
2. This separated the Soviet Union, Poland,
Hungary, Bulgaria, East Germany and
Romania from the rest of the free world
3. From 1945-1991 the U.S. and U.S.S.R.
(Soviet Union) were in a “face off”
called…
4. From 1949-1991 Communism
increased____________ in many
countries
5. The Cold War lined up the USA and Great
Britain
1. This divided Germany and its capital,
Berlin, into east and west
2. This separated the Soviet Union, Poland,
Hungary, Bulgaria, East Germany and
Romania from the rest of the free world
3. From 1945-1991 the U.S. and U.S.S.R.
(Soviet Union) were in a “face off”
called…
4. From 1949-1991 Communism
increased____________ in many
countries
5. The Cold War lined up the USA and Great
Britain

74
Cold War Test 2
1. From 1949-1991, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and East Germany were
Communist countries.
2. In 1991, the Soviet Union divided into many new countries, such as, Russia,
Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and others.
3. People could be shot trying to cross over the Berlin Wall from East to West
Berlin.
4. People in Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union were very happy because
they could leave the country to travel when they wished.
5. During the Cold War, Cuba, Red China, and Eastern Europe were on the
same side.

The Cold War in 1 minute
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB1Y4
Lu1rZs
75

The Cuban Missile Crisis
Ted Ed 5 min Excellent!!!!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwW
W3sbk4EU
76

America Cold War Cartoon
9 min Excellent
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spp8
wBbKouM
77

What if the Cold War Went
Nuclear? 10 min Excellent
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Az
wBPnUxs
78

The Cold War in 9 minutes
illustrated and narrated
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVqzi
NV7dGY
79

Brainstorm and Discuss
In 1917 The United States passed the
Selective Service Act which required military
service of young men. We currently have a
volunteer army. If we are attacked and need
millions more to serve in the military, how
should we get people to serve?
Should everyone serve? What if we cannot
get enough soldiers to protect our country?
How should we solve this problem?
80

Report Back
Share Your Ideas
.
1. Let’s summarize
possible answers to
our question about
how to get enough
people to serve in the
military in an
emergency.
2. Include these ideas
in your notes.
3. You may chose to
use a graphic
organizer.
81

Conduct Research on the Issues
 Use technology and text sources to gather
information about the Selective Service Act
and the military draft. Research ideas on who
should serve in the military and how they
should be chosen. Consider fairness and the
quality of personnel when evaluating potential
ideas.
 This will be a short research assignment and
should generate two or three pages of notes.
The notes will used during the next class
discussion to review ideas and solutions and to
write a proposal. 82

Essential Questions to
Guide Research
 How can we get the best military candidates who are
capable of using advanced technology?
 If we must use a draft, should women be included?
How old should draftees be?
 If we increase pay and benefits, who will pay for it?
 If we keep a voluntary system, how do we make sure
that the economically disadvantaged do not serve in
disproportional numbers while the wealthy stay home
and prosper in their high paying jobs?

 The following slides
provide sources for the
research project.
 Powerpoint version
available for quick
linking

History of the Military Draft
 http://usmilitary.about.com/od/deploymen
tsconflicts/l/bldrafthistory.htm
85

Rand: The Evolution of an All
Volunteer Military
 http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs
/RB9195/index1.html
86

Is the Military Draft More Fair?
 http://www.duckdaotsu.org/071704-
draft.html
87

Draft: Is it fair?
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/articles/A56520-2004Jul16.html
88

Facts: Volunteers or Draftees
 http://www.ehow.com/facts_5793624_dra
ft-vs_-volunteer-military.html
89

Issues of an All Volunteer
Military: CBO
 http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbo
files/ftpdocs/83xx/doc8313/07-19-
militaryvol.pdf
90

Pros and Cons of Military
Service
 http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/20
10/10/21/the-pros-and-cons-of-military-
service
91

Are We Desensitized to War
with an All Volunteer Military?
 http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/12/31/
178702/all-volunteer-military-may-
desensitize.html
92

The History of Military Draft and
Voluntary Service
 http://www.thefreelibrary.com/America+
%26+the+draft%3A+a+200-
year+debate%3A+the+U.S.+has+gone+b
ack+and...-a0207323951
93

The Unfairness of an All
Voluntary Military
 http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_
politics/the_big_idea/2006/03/rough_draft
.html
94

Does an All Volunteer Military
Break the Social Compact of
Fairness?
 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/does-
all-volunteer-military-break-the-social-
compact/
95

Write a Proposal
Use your notes to write
a one or two page
proposal to recommend
solutions to the
problem of how the
military should recruit or
draft soldiers. Support
your proposed solutions
with clearly articulated
arguments and
sufficient evidence.
96

Your Proposal
 Define the problem
 Outline the details of the
proposed solution
 Cite supporting research
 Project possible roadblocks
 Specify contingency or back
up plans
 Explain potential costs or
revenue sources
97

Develop a Writing Plan
 Determine what your
main point will be, and
write a topic sentence
that provides focus for
your essay.
 Choose several main
ideas that support
your topic sentence.
 Sort your information
into supporting details
with facts and
examples.
98

Use the five
paragraph
essay to
write your
paper.
99

Details Must Support the
Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts, examples,
and reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

Prepare to Write
 Use your outline and
write a five paragraph
essay on your topic.
 As you write your
rough draft, it will be
very important to use
special words that
enable you to
transition smoothly
from one idea to the
next.
101

Transition Words
As you view these
words, select the
words that help you
make transitions
smoothly from one
idea to the next.
 as a result
 such as
 for example
 nevertheless
 for that reason
 finally
 at this time
 therefore
 furthermore
 in addition
 in conclusion
 as well as 102

Review, Edit, and Rewrite
1. Re-read your essay several
times.
2. How can you improve your
sentences to communicate more
clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported
by examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s
essay out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write
the final draft of your polished
essay.
103

Explore the Issue
During the cold war there was a
constant threat of possible world
wide nuclear attack. Today, all of
the world’s major powers have
nuclear weapons that are capable
of destroying other countries.
Should the United States
take military action to
prevent smaller, non-
democratic countries from
acquiring nuclear weapons?
104

Take a Pro or Con Position
 In order to make a
convincing argument
for or against an idea
or event, it is very
important to
evaluate the facts
and see if they support
your position.
 The first step is to ask
relevant questions
that will guide your
investigation of the
evidence. 105

Inquiring Minds want to Know
Essential Questions
 Which countries currently have nuclear
weapons?
 Which countries are attempting to get
nuclear weapons?
 What might happen if a country that
sponsors terrorism gets nuclear weapons?
 How might nuclear weapons threaten the
freedom and existence of the U.S.?
106

Conduct the Research
 Identify specific questions
about the issue to guide
your investigation of the
facts.
 Determine if the
evidence is credible
and supports your main
arguments.
 Use internet and book
sources to gather credible
information.
107

The Proof is in the Pudding
 The Issue: Should the U.S.
take military action to keep
unstable countries from
getting nuclear weapons?
 Your assignment is to
research this issue, take a
position, support your
arguments with sufficient
evidence, and write a
report to convince others of
your point of view.
108

 The following slides provide
sources for the research project.

Should the U.S. use military
force to halt nuclear weapons
development in Iran?
 http://www.usnews.com/debate-
club/should-the-united-states-consider-
military-action-to-hinder-irans-nuclear-
program
110

Gates: Military action in Iran
would not stop nuclear
development
 http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_new
s/336329/military_action_won't_stop_iran
_nuclear_program%3A_us
111

Stopping the Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons
 http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/664
52/gregory-l-schulte/stopping-
proliferation-before-it-starts
112

Preventing Nuclear Proliferation
 http://www.nei.org/Master-Document-
Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-
Sheets/Preventing-The-Proliferation-Of-
Nuclear-Materials
113

North Korea and Nuclear
Weapons
 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/
shows/kim/themes/what.html
114

U.S. Options: North Korea and
Nuclear Weapons
 http://www.choices.edu/resources/docum
ents/koreaoptions_001.pdf
115

Debate about military action in Iran
 http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/
files/IranReport_091112_FINAL.pdf
116

Choices: Military action or not
 http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn/d
ocuments/choices-twtn-iran-options.pdf
117

Develop a Writing Plan
 Determine what your main point will be, and
write a topic sentence that provides focus for
your essay.
 Choose several main ideas that support your
topic sentence.
 Sort your information into supporting details
with facts and examples.
118

Use the five
paragraph
essay to
write your
paper.
119

Details Must Support the Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts,
examples, and
reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

Prepare to Write
 Use your outline
and write a five
paragraph essay
on your topic.
 As you write your
rough draft, it will
be very important
to use special
words that enable
you to transition
smoothly from one
idea to the next.
121

Transition Words
As you view these
words, select the
words that help you
make transitions
smoothly from one
idea to the next.
 as a result
 such as
 for example
 nevertheless
 for that reason
 finally
 at this time
 therefore
 furthermore
 in addition
 in conclusion
 as well as
122

Relevance to the Real World
 The final conclusion of your paper should
explain why your point of view on the issue is
important for the future. Answer these questions
as you write your conclusion.
 1. Why is your issue important to our world?
 2. Why should anyone care about it?
 3. What would be the negative results if your
recommendations are not followed?

Review, Edit, and Rewrite
1. Re-read your essay several times.
2. How can you improve your
sentences to communicate more
clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported by
examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s essay
out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write
the final draft of your polished
essay.
124

Which kind of defense spending increased greatly
from 1962 to the present? Which type of spending
remained constant?
125

What was the most costly U.S. war? Which war
came in the middle of the cold war?
126

What can be inferred when comparing the relationship
between the federal debt and defense spending?
127

What percent of GDP was
defense spending in the year
2000?
128

Approximately, what was the
per person cost of defense
spending in 1980?
129

Which two countries most recently acquired
nuclear warheads? Which country had the most
warheads in 1985 at the height of the cold war?
130

Conducting Your
Research
Collect information
about the cold war
from beginning to
end. Identify the most
important people and
events that
contributed to the
conflict between the
U.S. and the U.S.S.R.
from 1960 to 1990.

Select your Topic
Discuss your
selected
topic with
your teacher
before
beginning
your
research.
132

Extend Your Knowledge
of the Topic
Participate in an in-depth
study of the topic. Identify
4-6 internet or print
resources that provide
helpful information
regarding your topic.
Review your notes and
develop several questions
that you would like to
explore about your topic.
133

Essential Questions to Guide
Your Research
 1. How did the division of Germany after World War ll
contribute to the conflict and cold war between the U.S.
and the U.S.S.R.?
 2. Why did the Cuban Missile Crises almost lead to
nuclear war?
 3. What role did the Berlin Wall play in the cold war?
 4. Why was the “arms race” a critical element in the cold
war?
 5. What happened to the Soviet Union in 1991 that
changed the cold war?
134

Reagan and the cold war:
Making Connections
 http://docsteach.org/activities/2151/detail
?mode=browse&menu=closed&type%5B
%5D=making-connections&sortBy=title

Cuban Missile Crises: Weigh the
Evidence
 http://docsteach.org/activities/14127/detai
l?mode=browse&menu=closed&type%5B
%5D=weighing-the-
evidence&sortBy=title&page=5

The Cold War:Weighing the
Evidence
 http://docsteach.org/activities/7961/detail
?mode=browse&menu=closed&type%5B
%5D=weighing-the-
evidence&sortBy=title&page=8

 The following slides
provide sources for the
research proje

Brief History of the Cold War
 http://www.sparknotes.com/history/ameri
can/coldwar/summary.html
139

The Cold War and Nuclear
Weapons
 http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-
issues/nuclear-weapons/history/cold-
war/intro-cold-war-extra.htm
140

Flashpoints of the Cold War
 http://www.slideshare.net/WDIDFAU/flash
points-key-events-in-the-cold-war
141

Review of the Cold War
 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what
%20was%20the%20cold%20war.htm
142

Very Short Overview of the Cold War
 http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lockwoodm/
Communism/cold_war.htm
143

Key Events of the Cold War
 http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2011/08
/iron-curtain-descended-10-key-events-
cold-war-history/
144

The Cuban Missile Crises
 http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-
History/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.aspx
145

Cuban Missile Crises Resources
 http://www.history.com/topics/cuban-
missile-crisis
146

Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
 http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1
/a/berlinwall.htm
147

History of the Berlin Wall
 http://www.history.com/topics/berlin-wall
148

Unit Assessment
 The common core standards assessment includes the
following:
 PowerPoint Notes
 Research Project One: Notes, Proposal and Participation
 Research Project Two: Notes and Research Paper
 Research project Three: Three Pages of Notes
 Research Topic Essay
 Project
 Final Unit Test
149

Final Unit Test
The Cold War
 1. Evaluate several different methods for
increasing the number of soldiers that may
be needed during a future military crisis.
Analyze issues such as the draft and
exemption of women as you evaluate
solutions to the problem of increasing the
number of soldiers in our army.
150

 2. Many smaller countries would like to
develop weapons of mass destruction.
Present the pro and con position for
having the United States take military
action to keep countries that support
terrorism from acquiring weapons of mass
destruction. Evaluate each position and
make a decision regarding the position
with the most supporting arguments.
151

 3. From 1960 to 1990 the United States
and the Soviet Union were engaged in a
tension producing “cold war”. Analyze the
major events that contributed to the cold
war tensions between the two countries.
How were some of these significant issues
resolved?
152

Nuclear Threats and the Cold War: A Concise History

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