This document consists of a high school level study unit on decisions that faced the United States with respect to the Soviet Union following World War II. In applying the choices approach to the problem solving, the unit calls upon students to become active participants in the history-making process. To enhance authenticity, the lessons rely on primary sources rather than subsequent analyses. Developed as a 5-day program for a U.S. history or current issues class, the lessons seek to enhance such critical learning skills as reasoning logically from cause to effect, applying statistics, and building consensus. Among the possible approaches to the Soviet Union that the unit discusses are the imposition of a "Pax Americana," containment of Soviet Communism, co-existence, and isolationism. The unit includes a chronology, selected biographies of political figures, a lesson plan, and a list of eight suggested readings. (LBG)