The Cold War in Europe, 1947-91

Study Questions-Reading

The Earth and Its Peoples, 831-6
1. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Soviet Union's economy?

The Human Record, pp. 472-82
1. In what ways are the Cold War outlooks of the US and Soviet Union similar? What would account for these similarities?

Mathabane, Kaffir Boy, pp. 3-119

1. How did the apartheid system function? How did the system affect Mathabane's early life?

2. As you read Kaffir Boy, think about Richard Kim's statement that, "in the last analysis, I do believe there is neither pure 'nonfiction' autobiography or memoir, nor pure 'fiction' fiction" (p. 198). What does Kim mean? Do you agree? Think in terms of Lost Names and Kaffir Boy.

Study Questions-Lecture/Reading

1. Why is the Cold War referred to as being "cold"?
2. What was the U.S. strategy of containment? How was it implemented?
3. What was the Marshall Plan and what was its purpose?