The United States and the Cold War

This course offers an introduction to the history of the United States during the period of conflict known as the Cold War, from the 1940s to the 1990s. For these fifty years, the superpower rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union dominated global events and left a legacy still evident in our lives today. Beginning with the origins of that rivalry, we will trace the development of Cold War strategies and their implementation in crises around the world, from the Berlin Blockade to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, and Iran-Contra Affair. In addition to examining foreign policy and the actions of Americans abroad, we will also explore how the Cold War impacted life for Americans at home. Students will gain a greater understanding of the flow of American history in the second half of the twentieth century and learn to think critically about the role of the United States overseas.