4. Give two reasons why the ColdWar began afterWorldWar II. 5. Give two reasons why there was a desire for European unity afterWorldWar II. 6. After the attempted invasion of Russia and then the USSR during the first and second world wars, consider the reasons for the USSR demanding a ‘buffer zone’ between it and Germany. Give reasons for and against the Soviet demand.
7. In 2009 the majority of East Germans defended the former East Germany and 49% agreed that the ‘GDR had more good sides than bad sides. There were problems, but life was good there’ (Spiegel Online, ‘Majority of Eastern Germans Feel Life Better under Communism’, July 2009). Outline the advantages and disadvantages of living in Communist East Germany. Use the following headings as a guide: (a) Employment (b) Healthcare (c) Political freedoms (d) Housing
FURTHER RESEARCH
8. Write a paragraph on three of the following topics: (a) The Hungarian Rising, 1956 (b) The BerlinWall (c) The Iron Curtain (d) UN Declaration of Human Rights
9. Choose an important personality from this period and create a project about him or her. Interesting examples could be: u Eleanor Roosevelt u Mary Robinson u Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara u Robert Shuman
10. Working with a partner, choose any International organisation that promotes cooperation, justice and human rights. Research the organisation and make a project or a presentation about it. Use the following headings as a guide: v When was it established, by whom and why? v What are its aims? v Who are its members? v What are its structures? v How successful has it been in achieving its aims?