This document outlines learning stations for students to understand the emotional state of America during the Cold War. The stations cover topics like the Space Race, Red Scare, McCarthyism and a Presidential Address. Students will view propaganda, read documents and transcripts, and complete a mock employment application to experience different aspects of 1950s American life during the Cold War.

1. US History Name:
Cold War Learning Stations
Please visit each of the designated areas of the room and spend some time with the materials there.
After studying the materials, answer the questions below with complete sentences and detailed
answers. You will have roughly 10 minutes per station to answer the questions.
Here is the list of stations:
I. Space Race III: McCarthy Application
II. Red Scare IV. Presidential Address
AIM: How can we understand the emotional state of America during the Cold War?
Do Now: View “Duck and Cover” Public Service Announcement.
As a class, we will view the 1950s PSA “Duck and Cover.”
1. At what audience is this PSA aimed? Why do you think this is?
2. What message is this PSA trying to convey this to the public?
3. How does this PSA use propaganda to convey its message?
I. SPACE RACE
Please examine the images relating to the Space Race on the projector and read the news articles
relating to the Space Race.
1. What event related to space exploration worried the Americans?
2. Why did this event worry the Americans?
3. What did the United States plan to do after this event?
II. RED SCARE
Please read the Transcription of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg’s Testimony from the Rosenberg Trial.
The Rosenbergs were members of the American Communist Party and accused of spying on the
Americans for the Russians.
1. What were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg accused of doing?
2. What did Julius say his opinion was about different political views?
3. Based on these transcripts, do you think Julius and Ethel were guilty or not guilty? Why?

2. US History Name:
III. McCARTHY APPLICATION
Please complete a copy of the Employment Application for the McCarthy Corporation. You will staple
this to your completed stations handout worksheet when you turn it in.
1. How did you feel while completing this job application?
2. Are there any questions you found inappropriate for a job application? Which ones?
3. Why did you find these questions inappropriate?
IV. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Please select a group member to read aloud a portion of President Eisenhower’s farewell speech and
read along.
1. According to Eisenhower, what has changed since “the latest of our world conflicts?”
2. How has this change affected American lives? Use specific examples from the speech to support
your answer.
3. What does Eisenhower warn us against? Explain this in your own words.
SUMMARY: After you complete all station activities, write down THREE words that you think might
describe the emotional state of the United States during the Cold War.
1.
2.
3.