This lesson assesses the causes, events and consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

It examines its significance as one of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War and its impact on future relations between the USA and the USSR.

Students begin with an engaging anger management and emoji activity, linking emotions to historical events as they investigate why tensions between the USA and Cuba escalated following Fidel Castro’s rise to power and his growing alliance with the Soviet Union.

Through a text-mapping exercise, students analyse how Castro challenged the West by allowing Soviet nuclear missiles to be placed in Cuba.

They then examine President Kennedy’s response, considering the difficult choices he faced while receiving advice from the competing viewpoints of the ‘Hawks’ and ‘Doves’ within the Executive Committee (ExComm).

Students then participate in an interactive decision-making quiz, placing themselves in the shoes of world leaders as they navigate the 13 days of the crisis, making a series of challenging decisions that could determine the fate of the world.

The lesson concludes with an interactive Blockbusters-style plenary, alongside video evidence and a range of recall, retention and retrieval activities designed to reinforce learning.

This lesson forms part of a wider enquiry: Why did civilians fear for their lives during the Cold War? Throughout the enquiry, students continually revisit and develop their answers to this question, recording and refining their ideas after each lesson. This allows them to build a deeper understanding of how nations and ordinary people responded to the challenges and fears of the nuclear age.

Included in this lesson:
Fully editable PowerPoint lesson
Differentiated activities and resources
Interactive decision-making quiz
Blockbusters plenary
Video links and source material
Recall, retention and retrieval tasks
Suggested teaching strategies and guidance
Preparation for GCSE Cold War
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