IB History - SL/HL - PAPER 2 - Cold War
Enquiry Question: How did détente change the nature of superpower relations?
Learning Objectives
To explain the reasons for détente
To analyse the key features of detente
To assess the reasons why détente came to an end
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 2 - Soviet Domination
Lesson Objectives
• To explain the motives for Soviet control of Eastern Europe
• To analyse the nature of Soviet control through political, economic and foreign policy
• To assess the extent of Soviet control in central and Eastern Europe
Lesson Activities
Populist Writers as Secondary sources: students evaluate the COPVL of the source that describes Soviet Domination as a “plague”. Brief lecture on the geopolitical context of post-World War II Europe. Overview of Soviet aims and strategies in Eastern Europe.
Stalin’s Actions in Eastern Europe (video analysis):
Watch the video “The Cold War - Stalin’s Actions in Eastern Europe 1945-1948”. Students complete comprehension questions. Self/peer assessment. Discuss key points and take notes on Soviet strategies.
Primary Source Analysis: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with primary source documents.
Each group analyses their document, focusing on the Soviet approach to establishing control. Groups share their findings with the class.
Geographical Analysis (Map Activity): Compare maps of Europe before and after World War II. Identify changes in borders and the establishment of Soviet satellite states. Discuss how these changes reflect Soviet influence.
Collaborative Inquiry Case Studies: Assign each group a different Eastern European country (Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, East Germany).
Research the Soviet policies implemented in their assigned country. Collate findings into collaborative document for review.
Class Discussion: Reflect on the similarities and differences in Soviet control across Eastern Europe. Discuss the short-term and long-term effects of Soviet domination.
Historiographical Evaluation: Provide students with quotes from historians Tony Judt, Anne Applebaum, and Norman Davies. Discuss how historians’ interpretations of Soviet domination vary and consider student own analysis, how can this be validated and challenged.
Examination Questions: Students review potential examination questions and class discuss choices for the examination with reasons and approaches.
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 1 - Central and Eastern Europe in Context
Lesson Objectives
• To explain the formation and nature of Central and Eastern Europe
• To outline the key events and themes of Soviet domination
• To consider the broad themes of Central and Eastern European history
Lesson Activities
Geography of Central and Eastern Europe: Students are presented with a map of Central and Eastern Europe (slide from the provided lesson). They must label key countries (e.g., West Germany, East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc.). What is the significance of the different regions and colors on the map? How does geography influence political control?
Historical Context and Key Themes: Students read a brief historical summary covering the Soviet occupation and control of Central and Eastern Europe. For each country (East Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, etc.), students summarize the key historical context in one word (e.g., resistance, repression, etc.).
Timeline and Chronological Understanding: Students review a timeline of events (1945–2000) and color-code events based on their significance (political, social, economic, international/foreign policy, leadership change). Analyze the pattern and frequency of events. What does the timeline reveal about the Soviet strategies and control in the region? Which types of events (political, social, etc.) dominate?
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 4 - Support and Cooperation, Repression and Protest (1945-68)
Lesson Objectives
To explain the key aims and actions of communist governments
To analyse the impact of domestic policies
To evaluate the extent to which communist government had transformed central and Eastern European society
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 3 - Yugoslavia
Lesson Objectives
To explain the nature of Tito’s rule in Yugoslavia
To analyse the differences between Yugoslavia and other satellite states
To assess the extent to which Tito’s Yugoslavia posed a challenge to Soviet domination
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 5 - Acceptance and Opposition (1968-89)
Learning Objectives
To identify and explain key events and figures
To analyze the factors that contributed to both acceptance and opposition
To evaluate the role of key individuals like Walesa and Havel in challenging Soviet dominance
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 8 -Challenges of the post- Soviet era
Learning Objectives
To explain the challenges of the post-Soviet era
To analyze the post-Soviet challenges in ONE central or eastern European country
To evaluate the extent to which these challenges were overcome by 2000
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 7 - Conflict in the Balkans
Learning Objectives
To explain the reasons behind the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s
To analyze the role of Slobodan Milosevic and his policies in the conflicts
To evaluate the consequences of these conflicts on the region and its people
IB DP HL History of Europe - Topic 18: Post-war Central and Eastern Europe (1945-2000)
Lesson 6 - Collapse of Soviet Control
Learning Objectives
To analyze the collapse of communism across a specific Eastern European country; Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria
To explore the historical, social, and political factors that contributed to the decline of Soviet influence in the assigned country