1. The United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a Cold War beginning in 1946 that led to confrontations around the world.

 2. Post-war prosperity and the development of new technologies improved the lives of many Americans.

 3. Great strides were made in achieving civil rights for African Americans in the United States with the leadership of such people as Martin Luther King, Jr., but many obstacles have blocked the achievement of full equality.

 4. The Vietnam War was a bitter struggle for control of Asia and led to division and disunity in the United States.

 5. The demise of the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon undermined the confidence of Americans in their future.

The context of this unit is the successes and failures of the United States in providing leadership for the post-war world. These three decades began with great confidence: abroad, the nation led the free world in an epic struggle with the Soviet Union; at home, Americans enjoyed prosperity fueled by new technologies. African Americans established a civil rights movement that gained the support of national leaders and citizens across the nation in the struggle for and gains in civil rights, promised but never delivered by the Reconstruction era. After 1963, however, much of the confidence and promise of the post±war period unraveled.

 In spite of their gains, African Americans still faced economic and social hardships. Meanwhile, the United States became entangled in the Vietnam War, sparking division and protest at home and questions about our leadership role abroad. Finally, the death of President Kennedy, the quagmire of American involvement in Southeast Asia, the decision of President Johnson not to run for a second term in the face of growing criticism of the war, the Watergate break-in and cover-up, and the resignation of President Nixon left Americans questioning themselves and their role in the world.

 Students will be interested to know that their parents were children and students during these decades. Parents and community members may be used as resources for this unit, and they can relate what it was like to grow up during these years.

Question/Problem 1 : In what ways did the United States and the Soviet Union conduct a "cold war" beginning in 1946?

Question/Problem 2 : How did post-war technology and prosperity affect life in the 1950s?

Question/Problem 3 : In what ways did the Civil Rights movement change the lives of African Americans?

Question/Problem 4 : How and why did the Vietnam divide America?

Question/Problem 5 : Rate the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.