BEFORE YOU WATCH: USA vs USSR Fight! The Cold War

Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below.

Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below (next in the lineup!). If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: preview and skimming for gist

Before you watch, you should skim the transcript first. The skim should be very quick and give you the gist (general idea) of what the video is about. You should be looking at the title, thumbnails, pictures, and first few seconds of the video for the gist.

Second read: key ideas and understanding content

Now that you’ve skimmed the video transcript and taken a quick peek at the video, you should preview the questions you will be answering. These questions will help you get a better understanding of the concepts and arguments that are presented in the video. Keep in mind that when you watch the video, it is a good idea to write down any vocab you read or hear that is unfamiliar to you.

By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:

Who were the two competing powers of the Cold War, and what did they each want?
What was behind the “Iron Curtain”, according to Winston Churchill?
Why did the USA drop the first atomic bomb, and what was the consequence of this?
Where did the Cold War start and how was it “fought”?
How was the strategy of “containment” used by the US?
What was the nuclear arms race, and what was so dangerous about it?
Where and how did the Cold War get “hot”?
What were the three “worlds” and why don’t we use those terms now?
What were some problems with Soviet communism that led to its downfall?
How did Mikhail Gorbachev help end the Cold War?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

Finally, here are some questions that will help you focus on why this video matters and how it connects to other content you’ve studied.

At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:

John Green argues that Soviet-style socialism was not a viable alternative to capitalism. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not? Use evidence from this era to support your claim.
How might the evidence and narratives presented in this video help you respond to the Era 7 Problem: What are the virtues and challenges of trying to tell one human history as opposed to human histories?

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to watch! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished watching.

Want to join the conversation?

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Nathan Day
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Nathan Day's post “Can you say the answer to...”
Can you say the answer to the Era 7 Problem, as it makes 0 sense
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(5 votes)
Answer
Ernest Miller
Posted 9 hours ago. Direct link to Ernest Miller's post “Who were the two competin...”
Who were the two competing powers of the Cold War, and what did they each want?
What was behind the “Iron Curtain”, according to Winston Churchill?
Why did the USA drop the first atomic bomb, and what was the consequence of this?
Where did the Cold War start and how was it “fought”?
How was the strategy of “containment” used by the US?
What was the nuclear arms race, and what was so dangerous about it?
Where and how did the Cold War get “hot”?
What were the three “worlds” and why don’t we use those terms now?
What were some problems with Soviet communism that led to its downfall?
How did Mikhail Gorbachev help end the Cold War?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(1 vote)
Answer