Starter activity: RECAP
Complete answers to the questions on the
sheet in front of you.
This is to recap on important ideas we
discussed in the previous lesson:
1) Explain Communism in your own
words
2) Explain Capitalism in your own words
3) Explain what you think the message of
the Bolshevik (Russian) cartoon is fro
the 1920’s and what you think Western
governments may have thought of this
source
Why did tension increase
between the USSR and the West
between 1917 and 1944?
Lesson title:
UNIT 1: THE SEEDS OF THE
CONFLICT
Objectives:
1. Recall your understanding of the systems of
Capitalism and Communism
2. Explain the tensions which existed between
the USA and USSR in the period 1917-44
3. Explain how these tensions were affected by
the Second World War
4. Analyse the role of key individuals in
relations between superpowers at the end of
the Second World War
Chamberlain meets
Hitler, 1938
WWI soldiers
The Russian Tsar
(King) being
murdered by
Bolsheviks
Cavalry officer, White Army
in Russian Civil War
Study the pictures. They all hint at reasons why tensions between the West and
the USSR grew in this period.
Key points before we start
 In 1917 there was a Revolution in Russia in
which the Bolshevik Party led by Lenin seized
power and replaced the Tsar (King)
 They were believers in Communism
 The USSR stands for United, Soviet, Soviet
Republic (1923)
What differences were there in
ideology between Capitalism and
Communism from 1917? Use pages 2-4
Communism
Capitalism
E.G Comintern and Third
International
Wilsonian Liberalism
IDEOLOGY (2-3)
ECONONOMIC (3-4)
POLITICAL
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
Complete the grid to summarise the main differences
between the two. Look carefully at international
relations.....
Wilson’s speech to Congress,
1917
 Which of his principles are addressed in the
speech?
 How did he think these would lead to greater
world?
 What does this indicate about the seriousness
of Wilson’s desires to uphold these values?
 How could Wilson’s principles be seen as a
criticism of European countries at this time?
Mini summary...
 Wilson’s ideas were not new – based on traditional US






values
But it was the fact that he was expressing them as a world
vision – America had a moral duty to spread it’s values –
marked clear shift away from traditional policy
But short-term effect – rejected by Congress and US
retreated to Isolationism
His ideas would be picked up later
Lenin’s concept of WORLD REVOLUTION and Wilson’s
LIBERALISM represented two widely differing models for
the conduct of International Relations.
SEEDS of future CONFLICT lay in this hostility
When circumstances were created which let these two
competing views flourish, the Cold War was likely to follow
What tensions existed between
the USSR and Capitalist world
in the 1920s?
 Your teacher will give you some cards relating to the
potential causes of tension between the East and West.
 First code each cause of tension as either: ECONOMIC/
POLITICAL (National Interests) / IDEOLOGICAL/
PERSONAL
 Arrange them as a ‘diamond nine’ with the most significant
reason at the top.
Pause....
 Did the fact that the USSR was Communist
make a difference to relations between it and
the West in this period?
 What other factors made relations between
them hostile?
What were the strains in the ‘Grand
Alliance?’ (impact of WW2 on
relations)
Why did the
Soviet Union
become allies
by 1941?
What did they
need from
each other?
 Your task: The strains of
the Grand Alliance
 Read p.8-10 and complete the table below. Then
code your findings into: National Interest/
Personality/ Ideology/ Circumstances/
Factors which strengthened Factors which weakened the
the Grand Alliance
Grand Alliance
Find out more on the Big
Three
You will be given 1, 2 or
3
You need to read and
highlight according to
the sheet then meet
your other numbers to
fill in your character
profile sheet
Plenary:
Had relations between superpowers broken
down by the end of 1944?
YES
NO
Homework
1. Watch episode 1 ‘Comrades’ of Cold War
series and make notes on increasing
tensions – how and why?
2. Read extract from Isacc and make summary
notes on development of tensions by 1944
using the question sheet to prompt your
reading
3. Read chapter 2 from textbook and answer all
questions from your course handbook.