Georgia SS5H7.a

Social Studies5th GradeHistorical Understandings

The Standard

Describe the collapse of the Soviet Union, including the role of Ronald Reagan.

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies · Trace important developments in America from 1975 to 2001.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why the Soviet Union weakened and broke apart in 1991. They describe how Reagan applied pressure through military spending and public criticism, then worked with Gorbachev on arms agreements.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can place Reagan’s presidency, Gorbachev’s reforms, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the 1991 breakup in order. They explain that Reagan influenced events but did not cause the collapse alone.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think Reagan single-handedly ended the Soviet Union or defeated it in a war. They may treat Russia and the Soviet Union as the same country. They may also confuse the fall of the Berlin Wall with the Soviet breakup.
How to Assess It: Use this exit ticket: Name one Reagan action, name two problems inside the Soviet Union, and explain why the collapse had several causes.

Lesson moves

Have pairs arrange event cards showing Reagan’s policies, Soviet economic problems, Gorbachev’s reforms, Eastern European protests, and the 1991 breakup.
Ask students to write: Did Reagan cause the Soviet collapse, influence it, or both? Support your answer with two facts.
Play a cause-and-effect matching game using cards for military spending, shortages, reforms, protests, arms talks, and Soviet republic independence.
Compare a 1985 Soviet map with a current map, then label three former Soviet republics that became independent countries.

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