Oklahoma Academic Standard 6. The student will analyze the origins of international alliances and efforts at containment of Communism following World War II.

Objective 6.1 Analyze the origins of international alliances and efforts at containment of Communism following World War II.  

  D. Evaluate the Kennedy administration’s international goals as expressed in his Inaugural Address in light of the subsequent building of the Berlin Wall, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, NASA, and the establishment of the Peace Corps. 

In a Nutshell

This objective focuses student learning on the key events and turning points in the Kennedy Administration, which took place at a crucial time in our nation’s history. At home, Kennedy proposed civic engagement, as well as government-sponsored solutions to social and economic problems. Worried about Soviet presence close to our shores Kennedy negotiated to keep Soviet nuclear missile capabilities out of the western hemisphere. Similarly, Kennedy maintained a Cold War policy toward the Soviet Union by attempts to compete with the Soviets, including the creation of NASA and the race to dominate space exploration.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Provide opportunities for students to examine the impact of civic virtues, democratic principles and responsibilities of citizens on government policies related to foreign affairs. 

• Assist students in developing questions about multiple historical connections related to relationships with other nations and their impact on America's economy and politics. 

• Construct arguments using combination of evidence related to the evolution of America's Cold War policy.

• Analyze multiple causation and change over time by constructing and interpreting parallel timelines featuring causal relationships of major events during the Kennedy Administration.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• concept and strategy of "flexible response"

• Peace Corps, Alliance for Progress

• purpose of a nuclear "hot line"

• Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; arms race

• "space race" as additional feature of Cold War competition 

• Some students may view America's foreign policy regarding the spread of Communism as being singular in nature- containment; when, in fact, foreign policy evolved to include multiple approaches, such as economic pressure, ideological propaganda, and competition in the development of weaponry and scientific discoveries.

Instructional Resources