Expansion of the power of the ussr in eastern europe

Social sciences

History

Grade 9

The nuclear age and the cold war

Module 9

Expansion of the power of the ussr in eastern europe

Activity 1:

To historically research the cold war by using similarity and difference, cause and efect and continuity and change: expansion of the power of the ussr in eastern europe

[lo 1.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2]

SOURCE A: An excerpt of a speech by Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, on 5 March 1946

From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Cenral and Eas

tern Europe … all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet in

fluence but to a very high and, in many cases, increasing measure of control from Moscow. The Communist parties, which were very small in all these Eastern States of Europe, have been raised to pre-eminence and power far beyond their numbers and are seeking every

where to obtain totalitarian control. – this is certainly not the Liberated Europe we fought to build up. Nor is it one which contains the essentials of permanent peace.

SOURCE B: An excerpt from a speech by Joseph Salin, Soviet leader, on 13 March 1946 (Translation)

It is absurd to speak of exclusive Soviet control in Vienna and Berlin… The Soviet Union has lost in men several times more than Britain and the United states together. But the Soviet Union cannot forget them. … what can be surprising in the fact that the Soviet Union, in a desire to ensure its security for the future, tries to achieve that these countries should have governments whose relations to the Soviet Union are loyal?

EXPANSION OF THE POWER OF THE USSR IN EASTERN EUROPE

• Use sources A and B, which refer to the expansion of the USSR in Eastern Europe, and answer the following questions:

1 Refer to sources A and B. Explain in your own words the concept “Iron curtain”.

2. Refer to source A. Which accusations are made by Churchill against the USSR?

3. Refer to source B. What was Stalin’s reaction to these accusations. Explain the reasons Stalin provided for the action

Assessment

Learning outcomes (LOs)

LO 1

Historical investigation

The learner is able to use research skills to investigate both the present and the past.

Assessment standards (ASs)

We know this when the learner:

1.1 investigates a topic by asking key questions and identifies a variety of relevant sources to explore this topic [finding sources];

1.2 asks significant questions to evaluate the sources (e.g. to identify bias and stereotypes, omissions and gaps) [working with to sources];

1.3 analyses the information in sources [working with sources];

1.4 presents an independent line of argument in answering questions posed, and justifies (using evidence) the conclusions reached [answering the question];

1.5 communicates knowledge and understanding by constructing own interpretation and argument based on the historical sources; uses information technology where available and appropriate [communicating the answer].

LO 2

Knowledge and Understanding of History

The learner is able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of history.

We know this when the learner:

2.1 places events, people and changes in the periods of history studied within chronological framework [chronology and time];

2.2 identifies categories of cause and effect (e.g. immediate and long-term, direct and indirect) [cause and effect];

2.3 explains and analyses the reasons for and results of events in history [cause and effect];

2.4 recognises that change and development does not always mean progress [change and continuity].

LO 3

Interpretation of History

The learner is able to interpret aspects of history.

We know this when the learner:

3.1 understands the contested nature of content, and that historians construct histories when writing about events from the past [source interpretation];

3.2 constructs an interpretation based on sources, giving reasons for own interpretation [source interpretation];

3.3 analyses issues which influence the way history has been written [influences on interpretation];

3.4 explains the ways in which symbols are used to remember events and people from the past, and how oral histories can contribute to our understanding of the symbols [representation of the past].