The Grade 9 Individuals and Societies class has recently begun a new unit on the Cold War. In this unit, we will explore a range of topics including the politics of a bi-polar world dominated by two superpowers, arms proliferation and the threat of nuclear war, ideological struggle through proxy wars, and the impact of the Cold War on the developing world. Students will also inquire into the variety of ways in which East and West competed with each other beyond the immediate threat of war. These include through the Space Race, sporting competitions, methods of propaganda, espionage, and various other attempts at wielding soft power around the globe. Ultimately, students will approach this unit through the lens of the statement of inquiry, which states, “Connections between governments are often based on interdependence and can impact the development of countries and regions.”
