Topic 1: Germany’s Changing Position in Europe               and the World

Strategy: Concept Attainment/Cold War

Activities

Explain to the class that much of the effort toward European Union occurred in the context of the Cold War. Use a concept attainment chart to help students see the difference between a “cold war” and a “hot war.”

Have one side of the class record their ideas of what constitutes a “cold war”. Have the other side of the room record their ideas of what constitutes a “hot war”.

Have students share their thinking

Have the students summarize the article in their own words. Have them add key events to their time line of “Important Dates in the Creation of the European Union.”

Have them use this new information to explain the concept of a “Cold War”. The following concept attainment chart may be helpful in furthering clarifying the difference between a “cold war” and a “hot war”.

A Hot War	A Cold War