**Title:**
“US Foreign Policy and the Cold War Era: Foundations and Early Tensions”
**Synopsis:**
This lesson provided a comprehensive overview of the early stages of US foreign policy during the Cold War. The objectives were to understand the historical context leading up to the Cold War, the ideological differences between the US and the USSR, and the initial strategies such as containment and the Marshall Plan. The lesson aimed to analyze the alignment and conflicts between the US and its wartime allies’ goals post-World War II.
**Attendance:**
– Number of students mentioned absent: 0 (No mention of absences in the transcript)
**Topics Covered:**
1. **Introduction to the Cold War Era**
– Overview of the significance and vast scope of US foreign policy during the Cold War.
– Transition from previous historical periods to the Cold War context.
2. **Foundational Concepts and Policies**
– The Monroe Doctrine and its long-term implications for US global influence.
– The League of Nations: its creation, weaknesses, and eventual failure.
– The concept of containment and the Truman Doctrine.
– The Marshall Plan and its role in European reconstruction.
3. **Post-WWII Goals of Allied Nations**
– Group discussions on the goals of the UK, France, USSR, and China post-World War II.
– Analysis of how these goals aligned or conflicted with US objectives.
**Actionable Items:**
– **Technical Issues:**
– Address persistent connectivity issues during class to ensure a smooth experience for hybrid participants.
– Follow-up with the administration regarding Wi-Fi improvements.
– **Curriculum Considerations:**
– Incorporate more detailed discussions on the Suez Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis in future lessons.
– Explore the implications of colonialism and decolonization on Cold War dynamics.
– **Student Engagement:**
– Encourage students to complete the assigned readings before the next class to facilitate informed discussions.
**Homework:**
– Assigned readings related to specific events in the Cold War, including the Suez Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis, to be posted on e-course.
– Students are expected to complete these readings before the next class session.