Rob and Eric are joined by Dr. Jeremi Suri who shares his ideas on how teachers can best teach about the Cold War in their classrooms. Jeremi is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin. He identifies three core concepts that teachers should consider when teaching about the Cold War. First, he notes that much of the Cold War emerged from concerns that lingered from both the Great Depression and World War II. Second, the centrality of anti-communism as an organizing principle shaped much of both foreign and domestic events. Third, the end of empires, decolonization, and the emergence of new nations is important in understanding this era, particularly as the United States and the Soviet Union sought to gain influence in those new societies. Jeremi also discusses the importance of exploring the complexity and impact of Cold War fears. He notes that there were genuine concerns that the American people and government needed to address, and also that fear can sometimes be manipulated and exaggerated. He ends by discussing that good leaders need to understand that complexity and must respond to threats in ways that are measured.
Lesson Plans and resources:
The Cold War and the Culture of Fear Jigsaw lesson can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/3JI0L0L
The Cold War Spy lesson can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/4a2D91p
Jeremi and Zachary Suri’s podcast, This Is Democracy, can be found at https://podcasts.la.utexas.edu/this-is-democracy/series/this-is-democracy/
Jeremi and Zachary Suri’s substack, Democracy of Hope, can be found at https://democracyofhope.substack.com/
Credits
Opening theme music, “Bossa Bossa,” created by Clare Howard www.clarehoward.com Music supported by the National Council for History Education www.ncheteach.org
Transition theme music, “The Clock is Ticking,” created by Emily Hahn.
Logo artwork created by Jessica Goldman.
Shit I Have to Teach in 20 Minutes is produced by Eric Hahn and Rob Good. Audio and video editing by Sebastian Rosales.
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