Contemporary World History - Post 1945: HIS

1. Imagine yourself as a citizen of the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s. Describe your thoughts about communism, your country, and the Cold War competition with the US. 

2. Despite the region’s importance, the United States did not get drawn into a war in the Middle East during the Cold War period (1945-1989). Was the US able to protect its national interests in the region anyway? Explain your answer, using specific examples. 

3. Should Ronald Reagan be considered a hero for his handling of the Cold War? Should Mikhail Gorbachev? In each case, explain why or why not, using specific examples.

4. Is there something the Soviet Union could have done differently to avoid losing the Cold War? If so, what? If not, why don’t you think the Soviets understood that? 

5. Did you mention globalization and technological change in one or more of your answers above? If so, you can skip this question. If not, how did those forces affect people’s lives in the 1960s? Illustrate your points by using specific countries as examples.