Contextualization

The Cold War is one of the most intriguing and revolutionary periods in human history. A space of great technological advancements, political tensions, and significant changes in global dynamics, this era determined much of the reality we live in today. Therefore, it is essential for us to inform ourselves and understand the reasons and consequences of this important event to better comprehend the current world.

The purpose of this project is to focus on a specific aspect of this period - the formation of blocs. How were they formed? What were the main countries in each bloc and what did they signify in the Cold War? How did these blocs operate during the Cold War and how did they shape the world after it ended? These are some of the questions that this project seeks to answer.

The formation of blocs during the Cold War, in particular, is an extremely relevant topic. The alliances made during this period defined the geopolitical order of the world for many years, and their ramifications are still felt today. Furthermore, understanding this formation of blocs helps us better understand how international relations work - how alliances are made and broken, and how power is managed on a global scale.

Students are encouraged to use various sources to develop their research. Some recommended resources are:

• The Age of Extremes: A History of the World, 1914-1991 (Eric Hobsbawm)
• Cold War - Canal Nostalgia
• Cold War for Dummies
• BBC: Cold War

Students are also encouraged to do additional research. It is important to remember that interpreting and critiquing sources are important skills that this project also aims to develop.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Building Blocks: The Formation of Political Blocs in the Cold War

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to provide students with a solid understanding of the formation of political blocs during the Cold War. Additionally, the project aims to develop research skills, teamwork, time management, and communication.

Detailed Project Description

In this project, students divided into groups of 3 to 5 people, each group will represent one of the main blocs formed during the Cold War - the Western Bloc (led by the United States) and the Eastern Bloc (led by the Soviet Union).

Each group's task is to research intensively about their respective bloc: how it was formed, which nations integrated it and why, main historical events in which the bloc was involved during the Cold War, and the impact of the bloc's existence on the contemporary world.

Based on this research, each group will create a detailed visual timeline, highlighting the main events, internal modifications, and the global role of the bloc.

Groups will also need to prepare an oral presentation for the class, explaining their timeline, the research they conducted, and their findings.

Additionally, each group needs to write a report that contextualizes their research and presents their conclusions.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Materials to create a visual timeline (poster paper, markers, printer, etc.)
• Presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide into groups of 3 to 5 students, and then each group chooses or is assigned to a bloc: Western or Eastern.
2. Each group starts researching about their assigned bloc, using the recommended materials and any other reliable sources they find.
3. Each group creates a detailed timeline showing the formation, development, and dissolution of their bloc. This timeline should be visual and include dates, short descriptions, and images (if possible).
4. Prepare an oral presentation that explains the timeline and shares the key points of your research.
5. Write a report that includes all necessary sections.

Project Deliverables

Each group must deliver:

1. The visual timeline: This should be clear, informative, and visually appealing.
2. The oral presentation: It should be well-organized, informative, and engaging for the class.
3. The report: It should be well-written, demonstrate the research work, and present interesting conclusions. The report will include the four main topics - Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. In the development, the group should detail their research methodology, the activity carried out, and the results obtained. The learnings and conclusions obtained should be explicitly stated in the conclusion.

The report and the presentation should be aligned and complementary. The written document should delve deeper into the topics presented orally and provide more details about the research, the preparation of the timeline, and the students' analysis of the importance of the bloc studied in the Cold War and the contemporary world.