Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students explore how Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union expanded beyond Earth and into outer space. Using the History in a Nutshell video series and short primary-source excerpts, students trace major turning points from Sputnik to the Apollo-Soyuz mission to understand how competition in space shaped national pride, innovation, and international cooperation.
Essential Question
How did Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union transform from rivalry into cooperation through the Space Race?
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Log In to View LessonStandards
- 5.4.CX Contextualize the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the United States' and Soviet Union's governments adopted different ideologies leading to distrust and tension. This indicator was also developed to enocourage inquiry into events surrounding the Cold War, such as the space race, the arms race, and proxy wars (i.e., Korean and Vietnam Wars).
- 5.4.E Analyze multiple perspectives on the economic, political, and social effects of the Cold War, Space Race, and Civil Rights Movement using primary and secondary sources.