Activity Overview
Actions taken by one president can still affect relationships later on. By understanding many of Reagan's foreign policies, students will be able to understand much of the historical context during his presidency as well as in the years and decades later. Using a T Chart, students will research and create a cause and effect storyboard to outline Reagan’s foreign policy.
While they can specifically focus on his Cold War policies, they may also cover major events and policies including his relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the Iran-Contra Affair, military build-up, and his speech at the Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall. Teachers may also pre-select any issues, events, or policies that students should include in defining Reagan’s foreign policy and role in the ending of the Cold War.
Extended Activity
Have students create a cause and effect grid to define how the next president, George H. W. Bush, conducted his foreign policy. Outline and define major events, policies, and initiatives taken by Bush, and connect them with that of Reagan’s. Draw connections between the fall of communism with issues in the Middle East.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart outlining the cause and effect of Reagan's foreign policies.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify and summarize the causes and actions taken by Reagan.
- In the second column, summarize the effect of each action.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Actions taken by one president can still affect relationships later on. By understanding many of Reagan's foreign policies, students will be able to understand much of the historical context during his presidency as well as in the years and decades later. Using a T Chart, students will research and create a cause and effect storyboard to outline Reagan’s foreign policy.
While they can specifically focus on his Cold War policies, they may also cover major events and policies including his relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the Iran-Contra Affair, military build-up, and his speech at the Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall. Teachers may also pre-select any issues, events, or policies that students should include in defining Reagan’s foreign policy and role in the ending of the Cold War.
Extended Activity
Have students create a cause and effect grid to define how the next president, George H. W. Bush, conducted his foreign policy. Outline and define major events, policies, and initiatives taken by Bush, and connect them with that of Reagan’s. Draw connections between the fall of communism with issues in the Middle East.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart outlining the cause and effect of Reagan's foreign policies.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify and summarize the causes and actions taken by Reagan.
- In the second column, summarize the effect of each action.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Reagan and the Cold War: Analysis of Foreign Policy
Organize a classroom debate on the effectiveness of Reagan's foreign policy
Encourage students to research different perspectives on Reagan's foreign policy, then divide the class into teams to argue for or against its effectiveness. This activity promotes critical thinking and helps students understand multiple viewpoints.
Assign research roles to students for balanced participation
Assign each student or group a specific event or policy (such as the Iran-Contra Affair or the Berlin Wall speech). This ensures everyone contributes and helps cover all major aspects of Reagan's foreign policy.
Facilitate respectful discussion using debate guidelines
Set clear rules for the debate to promote respectful listening and evidence-based arguments. This creates a safe space for all voices and reinforces civic skills.
Encourage students to use primary sources for evidence
Direct students to find and cite primary source documents such as speeches, news articles, or government records. This builds research skills and strengthens their arguments with authentic evidence.
Conclude with a reflective writing activity
Have students write a short reflection on what they learned from the debate, highlighting any shifts in their perspective or new insights. This reinforces critical analysis and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reagan and the Cold War: Analysis of Foreign Policy
What were the main foreign policy actions of Ronald Reagan during the Cold War?
Ronald Reagan's key foreign policy actions during the Cold War included increasing military spending, supporting anti-communist movements, engaging in arms negotiations with the Soviet Union, and delivering the famous Berlin Wall speech. His policies focused on confronting Soviet influence while promoting diplomacy with leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev.
How can students use a T Chart to analyze Reagan's foreign policies?
Students can use a T Chart to organize Reagan's foreign policies by listing causes or actions in one column and their effects in the other. This visual approach helps clarify how specific decisions, like military build-up or diplomatic talks, led to outcomes such as improved US-Soviet relations or the end of the Cold War.
What was the significance of Reagan's relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev?
Reagan's relationship with Gorbachev marked a shift from confrontation to negotiation, resulting in landmark agreements like the INF Treaty and progress toward ending the Cold War. Their collaboration played a crucial role in reducing nuclear tensions and fostering greater cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union.
What is the Iran-Contra Affair and how did it impact Reagan's presidency?
The Iran-Contra Affair was a political scandal where US officials sold arms to Iran and used the proceeds to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua. It damaged Reagan's credibility, raised questions about executive oversight, and remains a controversial part of his foreign policy legacy.
How did Reagan's foreign policies influence George H. W. Bush's approach to international relations?
Reagan's foreign policies laid the groundwork for George H. W. Bush by fostering improved US-Soviet relations and setting the stage for the end of the Cold War. Bush built on these policies, furthering diplomacy, overseeing the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, and addressing new challenges in the Middle East.
More Storyboard That Activities
Presidency of Ronald Reagan
- 9/11 Lights from the Brooklyn Bridge • Tony Fischer Photography • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Dedication of Berlin Wall Sculpture, Westminster College (MSA) • MissouriStateArchives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- The Fall of the Berlin Wall • antaldaniel • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
