Summary:
Were the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union caused by the theoretical differences between communism and capitalism, or was it simply a struggle for world domination between two superpowers? This lesson allows students to analyze and synthesize primary source documents from the Cold War era, and decide for themselves the source of tension between the two superpowers.

Vital Theme and Narrative:
Conflict and Cooperation

Habit of Mind: Read widely and critically in order to recognize the difference between fact and conjecture, between evidence and assertion, and thereby to frame useful questions.

Objective: After reading primary source documents from the Cold War era, students will complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the post-WWII goals of the United States and the Soviet Union.

Procedures:
1. Begin class by asking students to identify the fundamental differences between the Soviet communism and the U.S. capitalism practiced at the end of WWII. This discussion topic may be used as a check for prior knowledge, or to point out basic tenants of the two systems. This will also allow the teacher to dispel any incorrect assumptions students have about either of the two systems. Follow by asking, "Are there any reasons why these two systems could not co-exist?

2. Handout blank Venn diagrams and copies of the Truman Doctrine speech, the Iron Curtain speech, and Joseph Stalin's 1946 Reply to Churchill. **Note, documents may substituted based on availability or the emergence of new documents.**

3. Have students read the documents and fill in the Venn diagram by identifying differing goals and concerns of the U.S. and Soviet Union in the outer sections of the circles, and commons goals and concerns where the circles overlap. Check for understanding by covering student responses. For the times sake, classes may be divided into sections, having each section analyze only one document, and then sharing information with other sections.

4. Out of this information ask students to interpret what they think created the Cold War tensions between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Discuss student explanations. **Note, additional teaching points may include how the selection of documents affected the outcome of the activity, and how the subjective nature of the documents and our own political affiliations can impact our understanding of history.**

Assessment: Completed Venn diagram and class discussion

Sources:
1. The Truman Doctrine
2. The Iron Curtain Speech
3. Stalin's 1946 reply to Churchill
4. A blank Venn diagram