Bjorn Wansink and his co-authors have aligned their teaching of a recent and controversial historical issue--the Cold War--in the light of a contemporary incident. This article demonstrates a means of ensuring that students understand that different cultures' views of their shared past are nuanced, rather than monolithic--a different concept in…

On May 5-6, 2007, FPRI's Marvin Wachman Fund for International Education hosted 41 teachers from 17 states across the country for a weekend of discussion on Living Without Freedom. The Institute was held at and co-sponsored by the National Constitution Center and the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. Individual sessions included; (1) The…

These essays were written to assist teachers in the task of making Russian history intelligible to young U.S. students. In "An Approach to Russian History," Edward Keenan proposes that students need to gain a better understanding of how Russians perceive themselves and their history. In "Pre-Petrine Russia," Andrzej S. Kaminski…

Examines how Estonian history was taught in Estonia before 1940, how it changed after the Soviet takeover, and how history instruction has been reorganized since 1988. Reveals that new textbooks will explore the Soviet destruction of Estonian social, economic, and cultural life. Looks ahead to the future of Estonia and history teaching. (SG)

Presents a lesson for teaching about the era of the Harry Truman presidency. Includes step-by-step procedures, a bibliography, and an outline of important events during the Truman years. (CFR)

Presents a bibliography of 18 video products for use in the classroom. Includes programs on geography, Japanese culture, Native American culture and history, change in the former Soviet Union, and the Persian Gulf War. Gives a brief description of each program. Lists recently released software programs on geography, tests, history, and computer…

This unit is one of a series that represents specific moments in history from which students focus on the meanings of landmark events. The events of 1945 are regarded widely as a turning point in 20th century history, a point when the United States unequivocally took its place as a world power, at a time when Americans had a strong but…

This military history board game can be used as an extracurricular, extra credit, or classroom incentive project. The game serves to quantify an historical event so that it enriches the study of history for both verbally and mathematically inclined students. Although most suitable for eighth grade and above, the game may be played by some younger…

Suggests themes in Russian history that can be integrated into existing history, social studies, civics, or religion classes. Expounds on the following themes: agriculture and collectivization, police force and legality, Jews and dissidence, plurality and ideology, and the arms race. Provides bibliographic sources. (RW)

This document contains an annotated listing of instructional aids for Russian and East European studies that are available for loan or rent from Indiana University (Bloomington). The materials are divided into nine sections: (1) slide programs; (2) filmstrips available from the Indiana University (IU) Russian and East European Institute; (3) audio…

Describes teaching children about historical documents as a way of illustrating the reasons behind U.S. government. Explains that the course examines the U.S. Constitution, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, and Bill of Rights. Argues that children have firm opinions about fairness and justice. Describes a project comparing U.S. government with that…

Contends end of the Cold War and demise of communism caught most historians by surprise. Questions whether increased military spending by Unites States was the primary cause of the fall of the Soviet Union and communist nations in Europe. Argues world is still a dangerous place, and the Unites States must be diplomatically skillful and encourage…

Presents activities and resources for teaching about the former Soviet Union in the elementary grades. Describes 13 activities dealing with the historical beginnings of the Soviet Union through 1992. Includes a list of resource organizations and an annotated bibliography of children's books on the topic. (CFR)

The reinterpretation of past events has been a natural phenomenon of twentieth century historiography. Historical revisionism--the reshaping by contemporary scholars of traditional views of the past--has been an inevitable and necessary trait of the profession and has contributed to the growth of humankind's perception of previous generations.…

This document is the discussion guide for a four part video/print series designed to contribute to the understanding of the U.S.-Soviet relationship and the summitry process which has become such a visible part of it. Each of the four 30-minute programs interweaves archival material with informal discussions by distinguished scholars about…