Learn about the role of weapons in the Cold War

August 14, 2003

For discussion questions related to this activity go to: http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2003/fyi/news/08/13/discussion.missiles

Point out to students that the Soviet Union introduced the SA-18 missile around 1983, which was near the close of the Cold War. Direct student groups to their texts and the links below to learn more about the Cold War, including its origins, the countries involved and the ultimate resolution.

Pose the following questions to guide group research:

• What was the Cold War?

• What nations were considered the "superpowers"?

• Which nations were aligned with the United States and the Soviet Union?

• What factors instigated and escalated the Cold War?

• What role did weapons and the weapons trade play in the escalation of the war?

• Why did the international weapons trade increase during this era?

After groups give formal presentations of their findings, ask:

To what extent did individual countries, other than the superpowers, determine the course of the Cold War? Do you think smaller powers (e.g. Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba) manipulated the superpowers? Explain. How do the global threats that existed during the Cold War compare to the threats posed by terrorism today?

Related Links

CNN: Cold War (http://turnerlearning.com/cnn/coldwar/)

CNN.com: Man accused of smuggling missile into U.S. charged (http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/08/13/missile.sting/index.html)