Early Cold War Playlist 1945-1952
12 items
Cold War Origins with Sean McMeekin | BRI Scholar Talks: Cold War & The Presidency Series
Video
Video
22 Min
What factors contributed to the origins of the Cold War during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt? Join us today for the first episode of our summer Scholar Talks miniseries, “Cold War & the Presidency.” BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams is joined by Sean McMeekin, Professor of History at Bard College, as they discuss his new book, "Stalin's War: A New History of World War II." How did FDR’s presidential unilateralism and diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union shape executive power during World War II and for his successors during the Cold War?
22 Min
Truman & Containment with John Moser | BRI Scholar Talks: Cold War & The Presidency Series #2
Video
Video
20 Min
What was containment and how did it shape American foreign policy during the Cold War? In this Cold War & the Presidency Scholar Talk video, BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams is joined by John Moser, Professor of History at Ashland University, to discuss the significant role that Harry Truman played in the Cold War. How did Truman's presidential unilateralism provide a precedent for his successors to fight major wars without a declaration of war? Did Truman’s expansive view of American foreign policy and global responsibilities align with constitutional principles?
20 Min
Who Was Responsible for Starting the Cold War?
Activity
Activity
40 Min
Two scholars debate this question.
Winston Churchill, “Sinews of Peace,” March 1946
Activity
Activity
40 Min
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Reading Winston Churchill’s Sinews of Peace |
A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI
Video
Video
34 Min
BRI staff members Mary Patterson and Tony Williams discuss Winston Churchill’s 1946 “Sinews of Peace”
address, in which he issued a biting repudiation of the spreading Communism throughout Eastern Europe
in the wake of World War II. With President Harry S. Truman in attendance, the former British prime minister
delivered this "Iron Curtain" speech to an American audience in Fulton, MO, stressing the important role the
United States occupied as the leader of the free world in the global fight against tyranny. Join Tony and Mary
as they explore the significance of Churchill’s speech in presaging the Cold War!
34 Min
Harry S. Truman, “Truman Doctrine” Address, March 1947
Activity
Activity
40 Min
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Reading the Truman Doctrine Address |
A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI
Video
Video
24 Min
Mary and Tony discuss the 1947 “Truman Doctrine” speech, in which President Harry S. Truman
addressed Congress regarding the urgent need to assist Greece, Turkey, and other governments
actively under threat from Communist pressures. Believing that only a superpower like the United
States was in a position to mitigate these global Communist crises, Truman called on Congress
and America at large to step up and serve as a model of freedom for the rest of the world. What
were the implications of Truman’s momentous address?
24 Min
George Kennan (“Mr. X”), “Sources of Soviet Conduct,” July 1947
Activity
Activity
40 Min
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
The Berlin Airlift
Essay - 2637 Words
Essay
2637 Words
By the end of this section, you will explain the continuities and changes in Cold War policies from 1945 to 1980.
George C. Marshall: In Peace and In War
Lesson - 1 Activities
Lesson
1 Activities
45 Min
In this lesson, students will learn about the life of George C. Marshall and how it was shaped by integrity. They will explore his actions and how they shaped his identity and purpose. Through his example, they will learn how they can pursue integrity in their own lives.
45 Min
Reading the Marshall Plan Speech |
A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI
Video
Video
33 Min
Reflecting on the recent 75th anniversary of V-J Day, Kirk and Tony break down
the Marshall Plan Speech from 1947 to understand the inception of the U.S.
program that would provide a war-torn Europe with more than $13 billion in
aid. What were the political and humanitarian arguments that Secretary of
State Marshall used to persuade Americans to support his plan? And what
parts of the speech foreshadowed how America's role in the world would change?
33 Min
Truman Intervenes in Korea
Essay - 2322 Words
Essay
2322 Words
By the end of this section, you will explain the continuities and changes in Cold War policies from 1945 to 1980.