Cold War Arms Race Lesson

In this lesson, students will examine how the Cold War arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated from atomic weapons to hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and submarine-launched missiles, and how the theory of mutual assured destruction created a fragile peace between the two superpowers. They will also explore how crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 exposed the dangers of brinksmanship and pushed both governments toward arms control agreements, including the Partial Test Ban Treaty, SALT negotiations, and the INF Treaty of 1987. Students will have the opportunity to achieve this through choosing their own method of learning, from reading and research options, as well as the chance to engage in extension activities. This lesson includes a self-marking quiz for students to demonstrate their learning.