Case #1: Cell Phones

Cell phone technology developed out of the need to supply wireless communication in war. During the Korean War and later in Vietnam, the U.S. developed new methods of communicating with walkie-talkies. Later, this combined with some of the NASA technology used to communicate with aircraft. By the early 1980's, consumers could use cellular phones (although they were massive beasts that would not last long.)

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Case #2: Satellites

The Russians were the first to send a rocket into outer space. The Sputnik was the first manned aircraft to orbit the world. As a result of this competition between the United States and Russia, America sent thousands of satellites into orbit. The technology used to win the space race is now used to supply cell phone signals, GPS, television signals, etc. Satellite technology is a part of what created our digital world.

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Case #3: Nuclear Power

One of the by-products of using a nuclear bomb was that the United States and Russia were both able to harness the nuclear technology into power plants (think Homer Simpson in Springfield). Although environmentalists were upset about some of the potential contamination issues, it has proved to be a powerful method of supplying power to the U.S.

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Case #4: Internet

During the Cold War, the United States needed a way to network computers to send information. In the 1950's, no one had personal computers. All the computers were massive computers contained in entire rooms. The U.S. neeeded a way to connect these. So, the military created ARPANET. Several other networks grew from there.

In the 1980's, NASA developed the IP address system, which helped lead to what we now consider to be the internet. The internet as we know it really took off between 1989 and 1993, which helped prove that the United States was more innovative than the fledgling Soviet Union.

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Case #5: Cordless Tools

When you're sucking up bits of dirt or crumbs around the house with a handheld cordless vacuum, you are actually using the same technology that astronauts used on the moon. Although Black & Decker had already invented the first battery-powered tools in 1961 [source: NASA], the NASA-related research helped refine the technology that led to lightweight, cordless medical instruments, hand-held vacuum cleaners and other tools.

In the mid-1960s, to prepare for the Apollo missions to the moon, NASA needed a tool that astronauts could use to obtain samples of rocks and soil. The drill had to be lightweight, compact and powerful enough to dig deep into the surface of the moon. Since rigging up a cord to a drill in outer space would be a difficult feat, NASA and Black & Decker invented a battery-powered, magnet-motor drill [source: NASA Science and Technology Information]. Working in the context of a limited space environment, Black & Decker developed a computer program for the tool that reduced the amount of power expended during use to maximize battery life.
After the NASA project, Black & Decker applied the same principles to make other lightweight, battery-powered tools for everyday consumers

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Case #6: Water Filtration

Astronauts needed a way to cleanse water they take up into space, since bacteria and sickness would be highly problematic. Water filter technology had existed since the early 1950s, but NASA wanted to know how to clean water in more extreme situations and keep it clean for longer periods of time.

If you look at a water filter, you can usually detect small chunks of charcoal inside of them. Sometimes, when you first use a water filter, you'll even notice tiny black flecks from those chunks. This charcoal is specially activated and contains silver ions that neutralize pathogens in the water. Along with killing bacteria in the water, the filters also prevent further bacterial growth. Companies have borrowed from this same technology to bring us the water filter systems millions of people use at home every day.

1. How is this related to either the military or NASA?
2. How would the world be different if this hadn't been invented?

Political Report Card

CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PRESIDENTS AND CREATE YOUR REPORT CARD
Truman
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson
Nixon
Ford
Carter
Reagan
Bush

YOUR REPORT CARD MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• How each president handled freedom and safety
• How each president handled the military, including the various wars
• Technology innovations that occurred with both presidents
• Each president's ability to communicate
• Issues with the CIA and the FBI
• Issues connected to the Arms Race and nuclear development
• Minority / Civil Rights
• Ability to handle conflict with the Soviet Union
• How they handled money
  
• YOU MAY ALSO USE ANY OTHER ISSUES YOU BRAINSTORMED (OR OUR CLASS BRAINSTORMED) YESTERDAY
  

group discussion

You have learned about specific examples of what America did during the Cold War. These include the War in Vietnam, the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs, helping Afghanistan fight Russia, putting a dictator in Iran (which later backfired), spying on citizens to ensure safety. This also includes the Truman Doctrine and the way we gave money to poor nations so they would not support the communists.

Based upon all these examples, choose three of them and relate it to the War on Terror. What could Obama learn from these past examples as he begins his presidency?

Example #1 - Korea

After World War II, there were many questions about who would control Korea. As part of the Truman Doctrine, the United States helped Korea financially and militarily. It was a key nation for us when China became Communist in the early 1950's and the Soviet Union was communist above Korea. In fact, Korea had been divided up at the 38th Parallel into a North side (allied with the Soviet Union) and a south side (allied with the United States).

When the north side (the communist side) invaded the south side, the United States got involved. In the end, the war was a stale-mate, with neither the north nor the south side defeating the other side.

1. Why did the U.S. get involved?
2. Was it a good idea to get involved?
3. Was this successful?
4. What can we learn from it?

Example #2 - Vietnam

For years, as a part of imperialism, the French controlled Vietnam. However, they eventually gave the Vietnamese people their own independence after World War II. It was a time when many nations were gaining their freedom. The United States made an alliance with the Vietnam government and supplied soldiers, weapons and food aid to the poor nation.

When a communist revolution broke out, the United States got involved. We were worried that the entire southeast Asian area would turn communist. For over a decade, the U.S. fought on the side of the capitalists who supported democracy. At first, it was a popular war, but over time, people began to question why our soldiers (many of whom were drafted) had to die for a belief system. In the end, the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam and the entire nation became communist.

1. Why did we fight in Vietnam?
2. Were we successful?
3. What could we learn from Vietnam?

Example #3 - Cuban Missile Crisis

The United States was worried that the Soviet Union was going to send nuclear missiles from Cuba aimed at the United States. Instead of using military interaction, the president (Kennedy) called and negotiated terms with the prime minister of the Soviet Union. Many Americans believed that we were on the brink of a nuclear disaster.

After long negotiations, Kennedy agreed to get rid of weapons in Turkey that were aimed at the Soviet Union. In response, the prime minister (Kruschev) of the Soviet Union decided send back the nuclear weapons that were headed for Cuba.

1. What was the cause of this conflict?
2. Why didn't this lead to a nuclear disaster?
3. What can we learn from this?

Example #4 - Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs disaster began with the Eisenhower administration and moved into the Kennedy administration. The main goal was to train Cuban refugees to take over Cuba and kill Fidel Castro. The mission failed miserably, with many of the trained troops dying. The Cuban military defeated the invading force in a matter of days and the event accelerated a rapid deterioration in Cuban-American relations.

1. Why would America invade communist Cuba?
2. Was this a success or a failure?
3. What can we learn from it?

Cheto Cholo and the Cold War

Cheto Cholo clears up some of the misconceptions people have about the Cold War. Thanks Cheto, you're always educating us!