California State University San Marcos Korean War & Marshall Plan Essay

Follow guide attached!

Cold War assignment:

The conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union defined much of the late 20th

century. In this assignment, you will research events in the early decades of that conflict and

write about the ones you think had the greatest impact on the Cold War.

Part 1: Written

Assignment: Pick 2-3 events (from the list below*) and write a 2+ page paper covering the

following basic information for each selected Cold War event:

What was it?

When did it happen?

Who were the major countries/groups/individuals involved?

How was this event perceived by the other major powers?

How did this event shape global policies in the future?

*Events in the First 15 years of the Cold War: 1945-1960

Marshall Plan (1947)

Truman Doctrine (1947)

HUAC (1947-1954)

Berlin Blockade/Airlift (1948-49)

NATO (1949)

USSR successful test of Atomic Bomb (1949)

Cultural Revolution in China ends (1949)

Korean War (1950-1953)

US Tests Hydrogen Bomb (1952)

USSR test Hydrogen Bomb (1953)

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Sputnik Launched (1957)

Cuban Revolution (1959)

Grading Criteria:

Format: Typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font, 1” margins, proper citation, minimum 2 full

pages. (500+ words) 10 points

Content: Detailed description & explanation of the event, as well as an analysis of their

place in Cold War history. Good incorporation of research into paper (minimum 3

sources). 30 points

Quality: Good organization: This includes a good introduction and conclusion, clear

transitions, avoidance of repetition, avoidance of packing multiple points in same

paragraph, and clear argument. 20 points

Writing: This includes good prose in general, proofreading, grammar and sentence

structure. 10 points