Event Briefing Cards Cold War Case Files
Event Briefing Cards
Mission: Timeline Project
Research Mission:
Use these cards for the basic facts. Then, use a textbook or computer to find your own reason why each event was important. DO NOT copy the "Importance" from this card!
🚧
1. The "Iron Curtain" Speech
1946
Fact: Winston Churchill said a "curtain" was dividing Europe into Free and Not Free sides.
Example Importance (Don't Copy): It showed the world was being split into two teams.
✈️
2. The Berlin Airlift
1948
Fact: The USA flew planes to drop food to people blocked by the Soviets in Berlin.
Example Importance: It showed the USA would help people behind the curtain.
⚔️
3. The Korean War
1950
Fact: North Korea (Soviet side) attacked South Korea (USA side).
Example Importance: It was a hot war where many people fought.
🚀
4. Sputnik & Space Race
1957
Fact: The Soviet Union sent the first satellite, Sputnik, into space.
Example Importance: It turned space into a new place for competition.
🧱
5. The Berlin Wall
1961
Fact: East Germany built a wall to stop people from escaping to the free West.
Example Importance: The wall showed how the world was divided.
☢️
6. Cuban Missile Crisis
1962
Fact: Soviets put missiles in Cuba. A nuclear war almost started.
Example Importance: This was the scariest moment of the Cold War.
🚁
7. The Vietnam War
1965
Fact: The USA sent many soldiers to Vietnam to stop Communism.
Example Importance: It was a long fight that caused many protests.
👨🚀
8. Moon Landing
1969
Fact: The USA became the first country to land humans on the moon.
Example Importance: It proved the USA had the best technology.
🔨
9. Fall of Berlin Wall
1989
Fact: People started tearing down the wall. Division was ending.
Example Importance: It showed that Communism was losing power.
🌍
10. Cold War Ends
1991
Fact: The Soviet Union broke apart. The rivalry was over.
Example Importance: The world was no longer split into two teams.
Mini Glossary
Democracy: People vote for leaders.
Communism: Gov controls everything.
Rivalry: Two teams competing.
Guided Stems
"In the year ____, the ____ happened."
"This was important because ____."
Word Wall & Stems Reference Mission Support Document
Word Wall & Stems
Word Bank
Democracy (USA Side)
A system where people vote for their leaders and have freedom.
Communism (Soviet Side)
A system where the government owns everything and controls the people.
Satellite
A machine sent into space to circle the Earth (like Sputnik).
Rivalry
When two people or countries are competing to be the best.
Nuclear Weapon
A very powerful bomb that can destroy a whole city.
Writing Stems
Use these to help write on your poster!
Explaining what happened:
In the year ____, the ________ happened.
Explaining why it matters:
This was important because ________.
Pro Tip:
You can find most of the answers on your Event Briefing Cards ! Just look for the "Why it matters" section.
Timeline Rough Draft Timeline Rough Draft
Case Investigation: Events 1, 2, 3
Student Name
Date
Draft Rules:
1. Copy Year/Name from cards.
2. Research NEW Importance (No Copying!).
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance: (What did you find?)
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Page 1 of 4 • Part 1 →
Timeline Rough Draft
Case Investigation: Events 4, 5, 6
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Page 2 of 4 • Part 2 →
Timeline Rough Draft
Case Investigation: Events 7, 8
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Page 3 of 4 • Part 3 →
Timeline Rough Draft
Case Investigation: Events 9, 10
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Year:
Event Name:
Sketch
Researched Significance:
Mission Support Definitions:
Democracy: People vote for leaders and freedom.
Communism: Gov controls all jobs and land.
Final Mission:
Get your draft checked. Then use Construction Paper . Neat Title: THE COLD WAR. Use color!
Page 4 of 4 • End of Draft
Cold War Project Slides Top Secret
Cold War Files
Investigating the Global Rivalry: 1945—1991
The Mission: Two Steps
Step 1
Rough Draft
Use Cards for dates and names. Use Books/Internet for new facts.
Step 2
Final Poster
Construction paper. Color. Neatly write your research. Title: THE COLD WAR .
The Big Rule
You CANNOT use the "Why it matters" from the cards.
You must find a new reason why each event was important!
1. Iron Curtain Speech
1946
🚧
Use the Card for Name & Year
Research Challenge:
Find out: What side was Winston Churchill from? What did he say people wanted?
Draft Hint:
Write your new importance on your Rough Draft.
2. Berlin Airlift
1948
✈️
Research Challenge:
How many planes landed every minute? How many days did it last?
3. Korean War
1950
⚔️
Research Challenge:
Where was the line between North and South Korea? Is the war really over today?
4. Sputnik Space Race
1957
🚀
Research Challenge:
What did Sputnik sound like? How long did it take to circle the Earth?
5. Berlin Wall Built
1961
🧱
Research Challenge:
What was the wall made of? How many people tried to cross it?
6. Cuban Missile Crisis
1962
☢️
Research Challenge:
Who were the leaders of USA and USSR? How many days did the world wait in fear?
7. Vietnam War
1965
🚁
Research Challenge:
What is a jungle ? Why was it hard for the USA to fight there?
8. Moon Landing
1969
👨🚀
Research Challenge:
What were the
Substitute Mission Guide Substitute Mission Guide
Topic: Cold War Research Project (Tier 3 SpEd)
Mission Overview
Students are creating a final Cold War Timeline Poster on Construction Paper . This is a two-stage project:
Rough Draft: A 4-page packet to plan facts and research importance.Final Poster: Neat, colorful version on large construction paper.
The "No Copying" Rule
Students MAY NOT use the "Why it matters" information from the briefing cards on their final poster. They must use textbooks or the internet to find a new reason for significance.
Materials Needed
Project Pacing
Step 1 (20m):
Present the Slides . Emphasize the research goal: find new reasons for importance. Hand out the 4-page draft packets.
Step 2 (40m):
Students fill out the Rough Draft . Circulate to help with research. Check drafts before they move to final paper.
Step 3 (30m):
Final Poster. Move data from draft to Construction Paper . Title must be THE COLD WAR in color.
Substitute Tips
Research Support: For Tier 3 students, provide specific page numbers in the text or guided search terms.Large Writing: Tier 3 students often have large handwriting. The 4-page draft provides extra space for this reason.Draft Check: Ensure students have a "New Significance" written for all 10 events before giving them construction paper.Color & Polish: Encourage students to make their final poster look like a "Top Secret" exhibit from the slides. 
