PreDP History

Class: Date: May 7th & 8th, 2025

1-3 and 1-4

Topic: Unit Test Preparation

1. Establish the format and expectations of the

Lesson first Unit Test
objectives:
2. Practice some Unit Test style questions
Unit Test information
When: next Monday, May 12th
Length: 45 minutes
Content:
• The origins of the Cold War
• The conferences (Tehran, Yalta, Potsdam)
• The Soviet Takeover of Eastern Europe
Format:
• Factual response questions testing historical knowledge (7 marks)
• Cartoon analysis (8 marks)
• A ‘bigger’ question – write one PEEL paragraph (15 marks)
What’s the ‘bigger’ question?
This will be in the format of:
“Quote.” Discuss.
For example:
“The Yalta Conference was a success.” Discuss.

What type of question is this? What do you need to do?

• It is an argument (meaning it is debatable).
• You must consider both sides (e.g. success, failure, or a bit of both).
• You need to support your points with evidence and examples.
• You must include a judgement – YOUR answer to the question.
Suggested structure for the ‘bigger’ question

P Your judgement / thesis

E Evidence and examples of both sides of the argument

E Evaluate the evidence to explain your perspective

L Link it back to your main point (your final answer / conclusion)

Source analysis practice worksheet
Where is this?

Who can you see in the cartoon?

What is he doing?

What is the historical situation / event

shown in the cartoon?

How is this shown? Is it positive or

negative?

What does this source suggest

about the Soviet Union? (2)
(link your point to the visual evidence!)
Source analysis practice worksheet
How useful is this source for historians
studying the Soviet takeover of Eastern
Europe?

Value (1):

Limitation (1):

This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was

published in June 1947.
Note: The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet
Union.
Practice Quiz

Use the following slides to test your

knowledge!
Question 1

Who were the three leaders of the Grand Alliance

countries at the time of the Tehran Conference (1943)?

•Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt

Question 2

What were the main ideological differences between

the superpowers?

•Communism vs. capitalism

Question 3

Name one significant event that occurred between the

Yalta and Potsdam conferences.

•Truman becomes US President, Nazi Germany

defeated, Atomic bomb successfully tested by USA,
etc.
Question 4

In what year did Truman become US President?

•1945
Question 5

The alliance agreed to ‘5 Ds’ in dealing with a defeated

Germany. Name one of them.

•Demilitarization, de-Nazification, democratization,

de-industrialization, decentralization
Question 6

What was the nickname given to the tactics used by

Stalin to takeover Eastern Europe?

•Salami tactics
Question 7

Name one of the salami tactics methods used in the

takeover of Eastern Europe.

•Setting up coalition governments, rigging elections,

arresting opponents, using force, using the secret
police, etc.
Question 8

Give one of the reasons Stalin used to justify

expansion into Eastern Europe.

•Previous invasions and loss of life security, buffer

zone, etc.
 PreDP History
Class: Date: April 16th & 21st 2025
1-3 and 1-4

Topic: The Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe 1

1. Identify the reasons why the Soviet Union

Lesson gained control of Eastern Europe
objectives:
2. Develop historical sourcework skills
 same groups
as last week

1-3
 same groups
as last week

1-4
Discuss these points… Recall
The Potsdam Conference, July-August 1945: Sources of
Tension
What were the main sources of tension/disagreement at the Potsdam Conference?

Truman Stalin
Attlee

Germany Poland Eastern End of the War

Europe
The West wanted a quick economic Stalin had already The atomic bomb
recovery for Germany (no harsh broken his There was meant that the
punishment). promises, and growing concern Soviets were no
vs. there was really over Soviet control longer needed to
The USSR wanted to keep Germany nothing the West in Eastern Europe. help defeat Japan.
weak and demanded lots of reparations. could do.
The Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe
• After 1945, Stalin established Soviet control
over the eastern and central European states.
• The yellow colour shows areas that became
part of the USSR (Soviet Union).
• The blue colour shows areas that became
communist satellite states of the USSR.

What is a satellite state?

A country that is officially independent, but
under heavy political, economic, and military
influence or control from another country.
 Europe after the defeat of Germany.
• We know that the USSR
was in a very good
position to be able to do
this, as the Red Army
occupied most of Eastern
Europe by the end of
World War 2.

• Furthermore, we know that

this process had already
begun with Poland before
the Potsdam Conference.

• But… WHY did Stalin do

this? What were his
reasons?
Stalin, defending Soviet actions in the Soviet newspaper “Pravda” (March, 1946)
Worksheet Q1
It should not be forgotten that [during WW2] the Germans invaded the USSR through
Finland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Germans were able to invade What can we learn from this
through these countries because, at the time, governments hostile to the Soviet Union source about the reasons for
existed in these countries. As a result, the Soviet Union’s loss of life was several times the Soviet takeover of Eastern
greater than that of Britain and the United States put together. And so, what is surprising Europe?
about the fact that the Soviet Union, anxious for its future safety, is trying to see to that
governments loyal to the Soviet Union should exist in these countries? How can anyone,
who has not taken leave of his senses, describe these peaceful wishes of the Soviet Union as
expansionist tendencies on the part of the Soviet Union?
Stalin, defending Soviet actions in the Soviet newspaper “Pravda” (March, 1946)
Worksheet Q2
It should not be forgotten that [during WW2] the Germans invaded the USSR through
Finland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Germans were able to invade How useful is this source for
through these countries because, at the time, governments hostile to the Soviet Union historians studying the
existed in these countries. As a result, the Soviet Union’s loss of life was several times reasons for the Soviet
greater than that of Britain and the United States put together. And so, what is surprising takeover of Eastern Europe?
about the fact that the Soviet Union, anxious for its future safety, is trying to see to that
governments loyal to the Soviet Union should exist in these countries? How can anyone,
who has not taken leave of his senses, describe these peaceful wishes of the Soviet Union as
expansionist tendencies on the part of the Soviet Union?

This source has value (importance/usefulness) because… This source has limitations (problems/weaknesses) because…
 3. What does this The reason given by the Soviets might be a buffer zone, but this
cartoon tell us about cartoon states this will continue on “without end”, suggesting a
Soviet (Russian) more offensive rather than defensive interpretation.
reasons for the
takeover of Eastern
Europe?

• Layers of “friendly
states”

➢ The USSR wants a

buffer zone.
= an area designed to
separate (potential)
opposing forces

An American cartoon, 1946.

Example in Korea?
 Think
These are TOK questions! Group
Share

Discussion:

• To what extent can we know Stalin’s true motivations?

• To what extent is history unknowable?

Key takeaway (what we can learn about the study of history):

• History is often contestable and open to interpretation.

 Homework

1. Make sure all your

notes and
worksheets from this
class are well
organized in a file or
folder.
2. Read the bottom of
p. 160 and make
brief notes (How
had the USSR
gained control of
Eastern Europe by
1948?).
 PreDP History
Class: Date: April 28th & 30th, 2025
1-3 and 1-4

Topic: The Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe 2

Lesson 1. Explain how the Soviet Union was able to gain

objectives: control of Eastern Europe
 Poland

Poland

Czechoslovakia
same groups
Czechoslovakia as last time
Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria
1-3
 Poland

Poland

Czechoslovakia
same groups
Czechoslovakia as last time
Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria
1-4
 3. What does this The reason given by the Soviets might be a buffer zone, but this
cartoon tell us about cartoon states this will continue on “without end”, suggesting a
Soviet (Russian) more offensive rather than defensive interpretation.
reasons for the
takeover of Eastern
Europe?
• Layers of “friendly
states” means…
➢ The USSR wants a
buffer zone.
= an area designed to
separate (potential)
opposing forces
Example in Korea?
DMZ An American cartoon, 1946.
 Think
These are TOK questions! Group
Share

Discussion:

• To what extent can we know Stalin’s true motivations (offensive or

defensive)?

• To what extent is history unknowable?

Key takeaway (what we can learn about the study of history):

• History is often contestable and open to interpretation.

How did the takeover of
Eastern Europe happen?
In your group, read about your assigned
country and identify any specific methods
used (e.g. falsified elections, arrests, etc.).

Use your textbook (pp. 162-163) and the map

on your worksheet.

Write bullet points under your country on the

whiteboard.
Common methods used by the
communists
• Setting up coalition governments then gradually forced
out the other parties
• Falsifying (rigging) elections
• Arresting opponents
• Taking control of key positions in government (e.g.
security, law, etc.)
• Using the secret police
• Using force/violence (sometimes murder/execution)
• Using show trials
• Attacking traditional institutions (monarchies, the church)
• Creating new constitutions
What does this cartoon suggest
about how this process was
carried out?

This was a gradual process (although more rapid in some countries than
others), that removed the opposition slice by slice.
In fact, this process was dubbed ‘salami tactics’ as the USSR would
orchestrate the removal of all other political parties in stages, ‘like slicing a
salami piece by piece’.
Homework
•Review the content we have studied so far.

•Unit Test: May 12th.

•Next class will be a review to prepare for the test.

•1-4: Extra History class on Thursday May 8th Period

4
 PreDP History
Class: Date: March 26th & 31st 2025
1-3 and 1-4
Topic: Wartime disagreements and the Tehran Conference

1. Identify and explain two wartime

disagreements in the Grand Alliance

Lesson 2. Establish the most significant decisions taken

objectives: at the Tehran Conference

3. Practice historical sourcework (analysing a

cartoon)
 same groups as last week

1-3
 same groups as last week

1-4
 Recall Think
Group
a. Which countries made up the Grand Alliance? Who were their leaders? Share

b. What was the Alliance’s key purpose? Who were the Axis Powers?

c. What ideological differences existed between the Grand Alliance members?

 Groupwork
Cartoon Analysis
a. Who can you identify?
How do you know?

b. What is the significance

of the figure with the
bow and arrow?

c. What is the message

about the Grand Alliance
in this source?
THE
COMMON Useful expression:
DANGER “marriage of convenience” =
relationship based on
practical reasons, not love
THE GRAND ALLIANCE BEGAN TO BREAK DOWN IN 1945

There were three main reasons for this:

• Ideological differences
What were the disagreements regarding?
1. Lend-Lease
• Wartime disagreements 2. Military strategy (the Second Front)

• Tensions created by the three wartime and post-war conferences:

Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam
 Think
Disagreement 1: Lend-Lease Group
Share
What was it?

The USA loaned the USSR military

equipment and supplies (valued at
nearly $11 billion) free of charge.

Why did it create tension?

The Soviet Union appeared to act

ungratefully, which upset the USA.
 This map shows the
status of WW2 in 1942.

The Eastern Front

? front = an area where

fighting takes place
during a war

Was there a Western

Front in 1942?

No, not yet.

The USSR’s ‘Red Army’
was fighting Germany
alone in the east.
 Think
Disagreement 2: the Second Front Group
What would a ‘Second Front’ involve? Share

USA and Britain should invade Western

Europe.

Why did Stalin want it?

To relieve pressure on the Red Army fighting in

the east.

Why did it cause tension?

Despite Roosevelt’s promises, opening the

second front was repeatedly postponed and it
appeared to Stalin the USA and Britain had
What would you choose for
the missing word?

It appeared as if there was a

trust in the Grand
lack of _____
Alliance.
• By late 1943, the war
situation was looking
better for the Grand
Alliance.

• With the end of the war

closer, Stalin, Churchill,
and Roosevelt met for the Tehran
first time in Tehran.

• Their main goal was to

strategize how to defeat
Germany and Japan.

• Some post-war plans

would also be discussed. Map of Europe from around the time of the Tehran conference
(late 1943)
The Tehran Conference, November 1943: Key Decisions and Discussions
What could you include in each box on your worksheet? Discuss it in your group and make rough
notes.

Second Front date set USSR agree to help the

After the war, the USSR
Britain and US agree to US in East Asia and attack
will be able to gain lost
invade German-occupied Japan after the fall of
territory back from Poland
France in June 1944 Germany

Latvia, Lithuania, and

Initial discussions Initial discussions
Estonia to hold votes over
regarding the creation of regarding the partition of
joining the USSR - but
the UN Germany
will they be fair?

Which of these is the most significant? Why?

The launch of
this front
becomes known
as “Operation
Overlord” (or the
Normandy
Landings /
D-Day).
D-Day
June 6th,
1944
By early 1945
the map of
Europe looked
like this…

It was time for

the Grand
Alliance to
meet again at
Yalta.
 Read about the Yalta Conference (pp. 151-153).

Homework Make notes on what you think were the most

significant agreements made.

Were there any disagreements?

 PreDP History
Class: Date: April 2nd & 7th, 2025
1-3 and 1-4

Topic: The Yalta Conference

1. Practice historical sourcework (analysing a

cartoon)
Lesson
objectives: 2. Identify the key agreements and
disagreements of the Yalta Conference in July
1945
 new groups

1-3
 new groups

1-4
Assessment Calendar
Full course outline available on ManageBac!
 Recall Think
Group D-Day, June 6th 1944
Share The beginning of the end of the war.
a. What were two wartime
disagreements? Why did
they cause tensions?

b. What was the key

decision made at the
Tehran Conference in
1943?

c. What was the effect of

that decision?
 What is the message of
this source?

To answer a general question like this, we

can borrow two concepts from English to help
us analyse the cartoon:

Denotation
(what you see)

Connotation
(what it suggests or implies)

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Denotation
The world has a bandage round its head and a
thermometer in its mouth.

Connotation
The world has been sick.

Meaning
The world has suffered from six years of World
War 2.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Denotation
The world has a smile on its face and a glimmer in
its eyes.

Connotation
The world is ‘feeling better’.

Meaning
Hitler and the Axis are on the verge of defeat –
the war is almost won, and the allies are about to
destroy the ‘disease’ of Nazism.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Denotation
Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin are shown as
doctors (note Stalin checking the pulse).

Connotation
Doctors are professional, clever, assured at caring
for patients (e.g. ‘Trust me, I’m a doctor’).

Meaning
This cartoon is assuring the British people that
they can trust the Big Three as they manage the
allied war effort.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Denotation
Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin are smiling.

Connotation
The fact that they are smiling shows that they are
happy – and united.

Meaning
The Grand Alliance is secure and united.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Finally, always remember to look at:

Origin
(who drew it, where it’s from)

Date
(when it was published)

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Date
Early 1945.

Details
Around the time of the Yalta Conference – a time
when the alliance was beginning to strain.

Significance
This is not a cartoon showing what was true, but
what the British people hoped was true.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
Origin
A British cartoon.

Details
The British at this time liked ‘Uncle Joe’, and
believed they had a ‘special relationship’ with the
USA.
Significance
This cartoon shows both British hopes for the
alliance, and assures them that all is well.

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
How useful is this source for
someone studying the Grand
Alliance in this period?

‘How are we feeling today?’ – a

British cartoon from early 1945.
In early 1945
the war as
almost over.

It was time for

the Grand
Alliance to
meet again at
Yalta.
A lot had changed since the Tehran Conference in 1943.
What particularly strikes you as you compare these two
maps?
Late 1943 Early 1945
The Yalta Conference, February 1945: Agreements
What could you include in each section on your worksheet? Discuss it in your group and make rough notes.

Germany Poland Eastern End of the War UN

Europe
Division of New Soviet-Polish USSR will join the Formal agreement
Germany and borders: Free, fair, and war against Japan on the creation of
Berlin into 4 zones • USSR gains early elections once Germany has the United Nations
territory been defeated
Reparations • Germany loses
territory
Five Ds:
• demilitarisation Free, fair, and
• de-Nazification early elections Which areas did the
• democratisation remaining tensions
• de- mostly concern?
industrialization
• decentralisation
 The remaining tensions
mostly concerned the
future of:
• Germany
• Eastern Europe
(which included
Poland)

Why might these issues be

most problematic? (Hint:
think about the map you
saw a few minutes ago)

Stalin’s Red Army occupied most of Eastern Europe, and were

rapidly advancing through Germany towards Berlin.
This gave Stalin a huge
advantage when it came to
negotiating the future of
Eastern Europe and
Germany.

He could promise “free”

elections. But would that
promise mean anything?

Would the alliance

members be able to agree
on Germany’s future?

Could they trust each Stalin’s Red Army occupied most of Eastern Europe, and were
other? rapidly advancing through Germany towards Berlin.
 What is the message of this source?

Apply the concepts you used earlier

(denotation and connotation), and your
new knowledge, to help you analyse
this cartoon.

In your textbook on p. 153.

British cartoon from 1945, at the time

of the Yalta Conference.
 Read about the Potsdam Conference (pp. 154-156).

Homework Make notes on:

• What changed between February and July 1945.
• The main areas of tension.
 PreDP History
Class: Date: April 9th & 14th 2025
1-3 and 1-4

Topic: The Potsdam Conference

1. Identify what had changed between February

and July 1945, and its impact on the conference
Lesson
objectives:
2. Evaluate the success (or otherwise) of the
conference
 new groups

1-3
 same groups
as last week

1-4
 Recall Think
Group The Soviet Red Army occupied most of Eastern Europe.
Share

a. What agreements were

made at the Yalta
Conference (February
1945)?

b. What were the main

areas of tension? Why?
The Grand
Alliance
met again
at Potsdam
in July
1945.

What had
changed
since
February
1945?
 What had changed between February and July 1945?
From the map:
• Germany defeated (May 1945) and occupied Which of these do
• USSR now occupied most of Eastern Europe you think would be
• Stalin had set up a communist government in Poland most significant?
Why?
From the textbook:
• Truman now US President (Roosevelt had died in April 1945)
• Stronger attitude towards the USSR
• Abruptly ended Lend-Lease scheme
• Attlee now British prime minister (Churchill lost an election – although this
actually happened during the Potsdam conference!)

Other developments:
• The USA had successfully tested an atomic bomb (July 16, 1945)
Development of the atomic bomb

Group discussion: how might the

development of the atomic bomb change
the global landscape?

Think about:
Ending the war
American attitudes
US-Soviet relations
The balance of power
Source A: Truman meets Molotov, 23rd April 1945 Truman’s
Within weeks of Roosevelt’s funeral, Truman made it clear that attitude
things had changed. On 23rd April the Russian foreign secretary,
Molotov, came to Washington to meet with the President. It was a
blistering encounter which he would never forget. Truman told
Molotov in “plain American language” that he was angry about Soviet
conduct in Poland. Molotov’s face turned white and he told Truman “I
have never been spoken to like that in my life”. Truman’s blunt reply
was “carry out your agreements and you won’t get talked to like
that”. Those who had urged the President to “get tough” with the
Soviets were delighted with this performance.
John Traynor, writing in the book Europe 1890-1990 (1995)

What does Source A tell us about Truman’s attitude towards the Soviet Union?
Much more confrontational (aggressive?) compared to Roosevelt
Spoke plainly/directly
Tough/unafraid
Source B: The Atomic Bomb, July 1945 Truman’s
On July 21st Truman learned that the newly developed atomic bomb attitude
was even more destructive than expected, and that it would be ready
for combat very soon. “He was a changed man” Churchill noted of
Truman after the July 21st [meeting]. “He told the Russians just
where they got on and off and generally bossed the whole meeting”.
D Yergin, Shattered Peace (1977)

What does Source B tell us about the impact of the new weapon on
Truman’s attitude?
A “changed man”
Acted like he was superior
Told the Soviets what to do (or not do)
Very confident (balance of power?)
From your reading, do
you think the Potsdam
Conference was
successful?
 Watch the clip from the documentary and answer the questions on your worksheet.
Video clip https://youtu.be/j8E1VXlX-Jo?si=BCli53Jts5-AO477&t=2540 (from 42:20 to the end).

. What was Truman concerned about?

• Declaration on Europe (free elections, etc.) was not being carried out
. What was the atmosphere like at the Potsdam Conference?
• Bad tempered
. What were the areas of disagreement?
• Germany, agreements from Yalta (free elections), end of the war with Japan
. Why did the USSR not have to join the war in the Pacific?
• Atomic bomb meant Soviet assistance would no longer be necessary
. Why was Stalin not surprised about the atomic bomb?
• The Soviets already knew about it (espionage)
. What surprised Stalin more?
• Attlee was elected new prime minister (Churchill lost the election)
. How long after the Potsdam Conference did the US drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima?
• 4 days later, then 3 days after that a bomb was dropped on Nagasaki too
Homework
Complete the final section of
your worksheet (sources of
tension at Potsdam).

Read about the Soviet and US

attitudes to peace-making
(pp. 157-159).

Make notes on:

• The aims of each side and
why they had those aims
 PreDP History
Class: Date: March 19th & 24th 2024
1-3 and 1-4

Topic: Introduction to the Cold War

1. Identify the key ingredients of historical

analysis
Lesson
objectives: 2. Define what the Cold War was

3. Establish the origins of the Cold War

 1. Find your group and choose a table.
2. Write five key points on each of the
whiteboards.

We are trying to identify the

ideological features of…
5
mins!

The The

USA USSR
1-3
 1. Find your group and choose a table.
2. Write five key points on each of the
whiteboards.

We are trying to identify the

ideological features of…
5
mins!

The The

USA USSR
1-4
Presentation feedback

●All groups demonstrated an excellent level of twentieth

century historical knowledge.

●But studying history is not just about acquiring knowledge

and memorizing events, dates, etc.

●So, it was good to see some evidence of historical analysis.

 What is historical analysis?
1. We must consider a range of 1. We must also consider
areas when we study history. historical concepts:
Typically, this includes:

change continuity
economic political
causation consequence
military social
perspectives significance

The best presentations…

• considered multiple areas (for example, including scientific and cultural advancements in addition to wars etc.)
• clearly used historical concepts (for example, defining criteria for significance, or introducing events that led to
change)
 change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

Our topic for this course is…

The
Cold War
This semester, we are trying to answer two big questions:
• Why did the Cold War break out? Which areas and concepts
might we encounter?
• Who was to blame for the Cold War?
change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

Think
Group What was the Cold War?
Share

Which o Two superpowers: the USA and USSR (Soviet

countries? Union) with their respective allies
o 1945 (?) – 1991 (?)
When?
o High tension and hostility that stopped just short
of direct war. Why?
Why ‘cold’?
change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

At the core of the conflict was a

clash of ideologies
• What does ideology mean?

political economic social military

• As I read the points you wrote on the whiteboard at the start of the
lesson, call out which area it relates to.
AMERICAN SOVIET IDEOLOGY
IDEOLOGY
CAPITALIS
M Which
areas do COMMUNISM
these
differences
relate to?

economic
political
military
social
change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

Do you think these ideologies can coexist?

Think for a moment, then indicate

your opinion with a thumbs up, or
thumbs down…
 change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

What do you notice about the end of World War Two, and
the beginning of the Cold War?

They overlap. Why? Because they are

connected!
change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

Think
Group What do you know about WW2?
Share

Allies / Grand Axis

Which Alliance Nazi Germany
countries? Britain Japan
USA Italy
USSR

When? 1939-1945
 Think
Group
Share

Q: Who are these

people? What is their
connection?

A: The leaders of the

Grand Alliance
countries.
Joseph Franklin Winston Churchill
These men are often
Stalin Roosevelt (Britain)
known as the ‘Big
(USSR) (USA)
Three.’
change continuity causation consequence perspectives significance

The Grand Alliance began to break down in

1945

There were three main reasons for this:

• Ideological differences
• Wartime disagreements
• Tensions created by the three wartime and post-war
conferences: Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam
*next week’s lesson
 Homework

Make notes on:

• The breakdown of the Grand Alliance (pp. 148-149)

• The Tehran Conference (p. 150)

Make sure you come to class prepared!