Tracing the Tensions of the Cold War

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, students will examine the context of the Cold War and the causes that led to the conflict. They will then determine the significance of each of these events for international relations and its impact on Canada.

Historical Thinking Concept(s)

• Establish historical significance
• Use primary source evidence
• Analyze cause and consequence

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the causes that led to the Cold War.
• Explain what the Cold War was and its context.
• Show its importance for international relations and Canada.

Background Information

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension with the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. During the time, the world was divided by the capitalist “West” and the communist “East.”

As part of this lesson, there is a short summary of key political and economic events from the end of the Second World War and the early years of the Cold War. You may also want to review some of the following articles in preparation for this lesson:

• “Canada and the Cold War,” The Canadian Encyclopedia.
• “Canadian Forces in Europe During the Cold War,” The Canadian Encyclopedia.
• “Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – Historical sheet,” Government of Canada.

Lesson Activity

ACTIVATING

• Present students with a map of Germany according to the London Protocol and lead a discussion where students will have to hypothesize what led to the partition of the country into occupation zones.
• Have students read the article “New World, New Fight” in the February 2025 issue of Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids to learn more about the division of Germany at the end of the Second World War.

ACQUIRING

• Divide your students into groups of four and hand out the summary of key political and economic events that contributed to the Cold War. There are suggested links to primary source material or additional secondary source summaries for each event. You may want students to examine these additional resources or have your students do their own extended research to support them in their analysis.
• Task students with reflecting on the question, “What caused the Cold War?” Have them create a table where they can classify and arrange each of the events according to their degree of importance in causing the Cold War (e.g. very important, moderately important, not important). Students will have to explain the reasons for their choices to the rest of their group.
• To establish the historical significance of the Cold War, students will look at key events. Have them create a timeline and classify whether they contributed to the formation of the Eastern and Western Blocs.
  • Beginnings of the Zhdanov Doctrine
  • Truman Doctrine
  • Marshall Plan
  • Creation of the Cominform
  • Czechoslovak coup d’état
  • Creation of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • Warsaw Pact
  • Creation of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon)
  • Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO)
  • Berlin Blockade
  • USSR has the atomic bomb
  • Creation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR)
  • Creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)
• Using the article “Chilling Times” in the February 2025 issue of Kayak, have students add events up to 1960 on their timeline. This will allow them to consider some of the domestic developments taking place in regards to the Cold War.
• Ask students to consider the major consequences of the various alliances and international crises during the Cold War. Direct them to think about how Canada was involved or not in international relations during this time.

APPLYING

• At the end of the lesson, have students write a short text where they explain how the Cold War affected Canada. They will need to explain what the Cold War reveals about history and how it led to profound changes, justifying this with evidence. Once students have completed their writing, you can lead a discussion about it with the entire class.