Enquiry Title: What led to worsening Superpower relations, 1945-68?

This enquiry looks at the early years of the Cold War – 1945 to 1968 – using cause and consequence as its main second order concept. Developed to be a foundational enquiry to prepare KS3 students for the Edexcel Superpower Relations exam. Students will walk away from this enquiry understanding that worsening relations was caused by a series of things, with the main factor being mutual suspicion. The final lesson is an Escape Room style where students will need to use their knowledge of all the events throughout the enquiry to answer questions, discover clues, and come to a conclusion about what led to worsening Superpower relations during this time.

Lesson 1: Introduction – Capitalism VS Communism and Mutual Suspicion
Lesson 2: How did the East and West fall out?
- Looks at the early conferences (Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam) through a role play activity where students investigate how these allies began to become enemies.
Lesson 3: Why did an ‘Iron Curtain’ descend on Europe?
- Examines the development of the Satellite States and Churchills infamous speech to the decline or relations between the USSR and the USA.
Lesson 4: Why was Berlin the centre of the Cold war?
- Looks at the cause and the consequences of the Berlin Blockade; lessons begins to build students understanding and structure of the narrative account question for the GCSE exam.
Lesson 5 – How did the Arms and Space race contribute to Cold War tensions?
- Focuses on both the arms and space race; students will developed a consequence ladder to help them develop their skills to answer the ‘Describe one consequence of …’ exam question.
Lesson 6 – Why did the Berlin Wall become a symbol of Cold War tension?
- Looks at the significance of the Berlin Wall and different interpretations of why it was built, who benefited from it, and what its consequences where.
Lesson 7 – How did a tropical paradise almost end the world?
- Examines all exam skills needed for GCSE – cause and consequence, narrative account, significance.
Lesson 8 – When was tension the lowest?
- Final escape room lesson = students must use their knowledge from the enquiry to answer questions and gain clues. Can be adapted to become more competitive if desired.