Today we reviewed and discussed the visions, goals, and fears for the post-WWII world held by the US and USSR. We began addressing the question of whether the Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe in 1945-48 was aggressive in nature or whether it was defensive, that is, a product of valid Soviet security concerns. To deepen our thinking, you began to analyze two documents that shed light on the issue, Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, and Stalin's reply to it.
Your homework is to, first, complete that analysis by EITHER answering the associated comprehension questions or creating a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast their views. Most of you got a good start on that in class.
On Wednesday, we will begin by doing one-on-one debates where you will take on the role of either Stalin or Churchill. It is 1946, you're having lunch, and the following topic naturally arises:
Please come prepared to debate the issue from BOTH sides. We will build on those debates to better answer the broader questions of whether the Soviet expansion was offensive or defensive, whether it was justified, and why it mattered.
To make your workload more reasonable, I have decided to defer the rest of the homework I mentioned in class until Thursday. So please focus on being well-prepared to debate!
Your homework is to, first, complete that analysis by EITHER answering the associated comprehension questions or creating a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast their views. Most of you got a good start on that in class.
On Wednesday, we will begin by doing one-on-one debates where you will take on the role of either Stalin or Churchill. It is 1946, you're having lunch, and the following topic naturally arises:
- Should the Soviets be allowed to control Eastern Europe?
Please come prepared to debate the issue from BOTH sides. We will build on those debates to better answer the broader questions of whether the Soviet expansion was offensive or defensive, whether it was justified, and why it mattered.
To make your workload more reasonable, I have decided to defer the rest of the homework I mentioned in class until Thursday. So please focus on being well-prepared to debate!
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