Back to Standards Index: AP U.S. History

Standards Index: Topic 8.2: The Cold War from 1945 to 1980

Find lessons and videos that align with Topic 8.2: The Cold War from 1945 to 1980

Skill 3.A: Identify and describe a claim and/or argument in a non-text-based source.

Theme 6: America in the World (WOR).

Image from Atomic Fears and the Arms Race: Nuclear Testing

Atomic Fears and the Arms Race: Nuclear Testing

Students will learn how the nuclear arms race impacted different aspects of society – including soldiers who were exposed to radiation during early atomic testing – and how it continues to impact them today.
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Political Debates and the Kennedy-Nixon Debate

Students will learn how televised political debates have impacted modern politics, with an emphasis on the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate, and their importance to campaigns and elections today.
Image from The Arab-Israeli War: America’s Role

The Arab-Israeli War: America’s Role

Students will learn about the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, why the United States remained neutral and how the violation of that neutrality by a small group of Americans played a role in Israel’s victory.
Image from The Cold War Space Race

The Cold War Space Race

Students will learn how the United States space program was fueled by Cold War rivalry, and how the U.S. government leveraged the program’s success in its public relations battle with the Soviet Union.
Image from The Cold War: From the Truman Doctrine to the Berlin Airlift

The Cold War: From the Truman Doctrine to the Berlin Airlift

Students will learn how the Berlin Airlift helped protect Berlin from Soviet control, contributed to the rise of NATO and set the tone for the Cold War.
Image from The Korean War

The Korean War

Students will learn how President Harry Truman’s use of presidential power during the Korean War continues to influence U.S. foreign policy and military engagements around the world today.