The Cold War

Knowledge is no guarantee of good behavior, but ignorance is a virtual guarantee of bad behavior.

- Martha Nussbaum

United States History:

Read from A People's History of the American Empire, "Questioning War."
Read chapter 16, "World War II and the Cold War" from A Young People's History of the United States.

General Discussion Questions (taken from Voices and A People's History)

Do you find it troubling that the United States fought for the freedom of the Europeans during World War II at the same time that it denied many Americans of color their own freedoms? How and why?

Was World War II an example of what Howard Zinn has called a war that benefited the wealthy elite?

What credence do you give the belief that the United States was eager to drop the atomic bomb in order to prevent the Russians from entering the war with Japan? Why was it important to Harry Truman that Stalin not be allowed to enter the war?

Why do you think the Korean War is often called "the forgotten war"?

Project: Create a "Fake Facebook Page" for Joseph McCarthy. You must include the following information:
1. What was McCarthy's background? (When and where was he born? Where did he go to college? What state did he represent in the Senate?)
2. How and why did he become involved in politics?
3. "Friends/Allies"
4. What led to his success and failure with the House Un-American Activities Committee?

This information may be included in the "Information Page, " "Friends List," "Status Updates/wall posts," or Photos.

Resources:
Joseph McCarthy (History Channel)
http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-mccarthy
House Un-American Activities Committee (History Channel)
http://www.history.com/topics/house-un-american-activities-committee
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
Edsite:
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/rise-and-fall-joseph-mccarthy#sect-background

Disarmament Game:
http://nobelprize.org/educational/peace/nuclear_weapons/game.html