Activity Overview
Before students are introduced to the Cold War, it's important for them to have at least a basic understanding of what happened between the end of World War II and the initial hostilities between the Soviet Union and the U.S. Have students use a timeline to outline and define events immediately following the end World War II. Students will be able to explain and analyze what events led to the beginning of the Cold War, and how hostilities developed.
Teachers may pre-select events, conferences, or actions for students to use; recommended timeline ideas include:
- The Yalta Conference
- The Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- The Potsdam Conference
- The Truman Doctrine
- The Berlin Airlift
- The Warsaw Pact
This will allow students to see initial attempts at Soviet and American negotiations, as well as how the Cold War begins to heat up.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
Extended Activity
Have students further analyze how both superpowers became even further alienated from each other by exploring who was involved in the alliance organizations: NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Students should identify how both groups geographically separate communist controlled satellite nations from democratically influenced nations of western Europe.
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 timeline detailing important events leading up to the Cold War.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important battles type them into the titles of each cell.
- Describe the battles in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Before students are introduced to the Cold War, it's important for them to have at least a basic understanding of what happened between the end of World War II and the initial hostilities between the Soviet Union and the U.S. Have students use a timeline to outline and define events immediately following the end World War II. Students will be able to explain and analyze what events led to the beginning of the Cold War, and how hostilities developed.
Teachers may pre-select events, conferences, or actions for students to use; recommended timeline ideas include:
- The Yalta Conference
- The Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- The Potsdam Conference
- The Truman Doctrine
- The Berlin Airlift
- The Warsaw Pact
This will allow students to see initial attempts at Soviet and American negotiations, as well as how the Cold War begins to heat up.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
Extended Activity
Have students further analyze how both superpowers became even further alienated from each other by exploring who was involved in the alliance organizations: NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Students should identify how both groups geographically separate communist controlled satellite nations from democratically influenced nations of western Europe.
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 timeline detailing important events leading up to the Cold War.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important battles type them into the titles of each cell.
- Describe the battles in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Timeline: Post WWII-Korean War
How to Teach Cause and Effect Using Post-WWII Events
Highlight key events and connect them to their outcomes to help students see how specific actions led to the Cold War. Use visual aids or graphic organizers for clarity.
Choose pivotal events for analysis
Select 3–5 major post-WWII events, like the Yalta Conference or Berlin Airlift, that clearly impacted US-Soviet relations. Focusing on fewer events deepens student understanding.
Guide students to identify causes and effects
Ask students to state the cause (what happened) and the effect (what changed) for each event. Encourage them to use simple, evidence-based sentences.
Model filling out a cause-and-effect chart
Demonstrate how to complete a chart with one event as an example. Show how to link the cause to its direct and indirect effects.
Facilitate small group discussions
Organize students into pairs or small groups to compare their charts. Encourage respectful debate and support with details from the lesson.
Wrap up with a class timeline review
Review the full class timeline, pointing out how each event's cause-and-effect relationship builds toward the Cold War. Reinforce big-picture thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Timeline: Post WWII-Korean War
What key events happened between World War II and the start of the Cold War?
Key events between World War II and the start of the Cold War include the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the announcement of the Truman Doctrine, the Berlin Airlift, and the formation of the Warsaw Pact. These events shaped the early tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
How can I teach students about the timeline leading up to the Cold War?
To teach students about the timeline leading up to the Cold War, assign them to create a timeline or poster of major events, using resources like the Yalta Conference, Potsdam Conference, and the Berlin Airlift. Encourage them to illustrate each event and analyze its impact on U.S.-Soviet relations.
What is a simple Cold War timeline activity for high school students?
A simple Cold War timeline activity is to have students identify and describe key events from 1945-1950, such as the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and present them visually in a timeline, poster, or gallery walk format.
Why was the Berlin Airlift important in the early Cold War?
The Berlin Airlift was crucial because it demonstrated the U.S. and its allies’ commitment to supporting West Berlin during a Soviet blockade, highlighting early Cold War tensions and the division of Europe between communist and democratic spheres.
What is the difference between NATO and the Warsaw Pact?
NATO was a military alliance of Western democratic nations formed to counter Soviet influence, while the Warsaw Pact united Eastern European communist countries under Soviet leadership. Both alliances deepened the division of Europe during the Cold War.
More Storyboard That Activities
Cold War: 1945-1962
- 2015 WWII Flyover of DC • Andrew Turner • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- 48-22 3659(69) • FDR Presidential Library & Museum • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima • BillPellowe • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Korean War Veterans Memorial -- Washington (DC) 2012 • Ron Cogswell • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Potsdam conference • farmerellis • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- President Harry S. Truman seated at a desk, before a microphone, announcing the end of World War II in Europe., 05/08/1945 • The U.S. National Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
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
