To better understand Truman’s actions and policies, students will construct a timeline of events and policies that attempted to contain the influence of communism and the Soviet Union. Students should include major events such as the statement of the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift, the U.S. joining NATO, and the passage of the McCarren-Walter Act.
This timeline will allow students to explain and analyze actions take abroad and domestically in response to the Soviet threat. Furthermore, it will allow students to be able to chronologically list and define the major events and policies that defined Truman’s policy in the early years of the Cold War.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline for another Cold War president, as well as his policies and actions both abroad and at home. This will allow students to make connections and inferences as to how the Cold War developed and influenced American foreign and domestic policy post-Truman’s presidency.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline outlining events and policies created to contain communism during Truman's presidency.