The roots of American involvement in Vietnam, which stem from the ending of World War II, are examined. (RM)

This lesson plan for use with high school students presents excerpts from a press conference that President Eisenhower held in 1954 dealing with his domino theory and U.S. foreign policy concerning Indochina. In addition to the excerpts, discussion questions and ideas for student research projects are provided. (RM)

Discusses changing interpretations of U.S. foreign policy by historians. Reviews the revisionist and postrevisionist views of U.S. foreign policy since World War II. Suggests that the post-Cold War world requires a different approach to foreign policy and that contemporary historians are beginning to reflect this view. (CFR)

Reviews relations between the United States and Europe from the American Revolution to contemporary times. Contends that U.S. foreign policy has always been characterized by a tension between involvement and isolationism. Determines that the United States is inextricably tied to Europe and the world. (CFR)

Reviews United States-Latin America diplomatic and trade relations from early days of the Republic to contemporary times. Contends that Monroe Doctrine was a way of eliminating European competition for economic and political control of Latin America. Argues that the end of the Cold War may bring a more equal relationship between the United States…

Contends that studying the opposition to the Mexican American War helps students understand Manifest Destiny and assess foreign policy issues on moral, political, and historical terms. Presents a three-day lesson plan employing a series of primary sources to analyze issues of the time. Includes a political cartoon and eight documents. (CFR)

Asserts that the issue of U.S. participation in the League of Nations is usually presented as a failure by Woodrow Wilson and the Republicans to compromise. Presents a lesson that clarifies the choice confronting the United States in 1919-20 and interprets the league as a historic innovation. (CFR)

States that studying the motives and ideas of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War poses conflicts between individual and civic responsibility. Presents a lesson about the major issues of individual conscientious objection to military service during that period. Includes three student readings and two teacher background supplements. (CFR)

Provides an overview of Cold War years from President Kennedy's inauguration to end of Soviet Union on December 31, 1991. Recommends six questions to provide a structure for studying or teaching about the Cold War era. Concludes that the Cold War remains one of the premier forces in shaping the world during the second half of the 20th century.…

Presents a secondary lesson plan based on primary sources recently released by the Central Intelligence Agency on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Provides a background essay on the event. Includes five maps and three documents, all of which have been declassified from top secret or secret status. (CFR)

Contends that the pledge by President Kennedy to land a man on the moon and return him safely "before the decade is out" was a Cold War tactic designed to bring national unity. Presents a lesson plan, a chronological chart, three primary documents, step-by-step implementation procedures, and related student activities. (CFR)

Contends that individuals and organizations advocating the peaceful resolutions of disputes have been important in shaping U.S. history. Asserts that teachers discussing diplomatic history should focus on the way domestic political forces shaped that history. Provides a chronological overview of the impact of the peace movement on U.S diplomatic…

Maintains that the "tried and true" strategies for teaching about the early Cold War years highlight the U.S. response to Soviet expansionism. Identifies four other focus themes: (1) debates over mass culture and youth culture; (2) gender and sexuality; (3) the civil rights era; and (4) rethinking the cold war itself. (CFR)