Cold War Historical Investigation Activity: Student Activity

Activity Overview

In this activity, you will use a variety of print, non-print, primary and secondary sources to explore the social, political and economic factors that contributed to the end of the Cold War. Then, you will evaluate the role James Baker played in the political factors that caused the end of the Cold War.

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Objectives

At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

• Identify and analyze primary sources to explain the social, political and economic factors that caused the end of the Cold War.
• Research primary and secondary sources to evaluate the role James Baker played in political factors that caused the end of the Cold War.

Activity / Procedures

1. Watch this video clip about the iconic nature of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
2. After viewing the video clip, think about the following questions.
   • What does the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolize to East Germans?
   • Did the fall of the Berlin Wall alone signal the end of the Cold War?
3. Now examine a variety of print, non-print, primary and secondary sources from the Cold War Resources table below to determine what social, political and economic factors caused the end of the Cold War. Fill in the Historical Investigation Graphic Organizer as you examine the resources.
4. After you have conducted your investigation, you will create a product that demonstrates the information you have learned. Your final product should demonstrate how you have used primary and secondary sources to answer the question: “What social, political and economic factors caused the end of the Cold War?” You can create any type of final product that you wish. Here are some ideas to get you started:
   • Essay
   • Online presentation
   • Infographic
   • Video podcast
   • Performance skit