Section outline

  • THEMATIC FOCUS

    Governance GOV
    A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.

    LEARNING OBJECTIVE

    Unit 8: Learning Objective J
    Explain the causes of the end of the Cold War.

    HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

    KC-6.2.IV.E
    Advances in U.S. military and technological development, the Soviet Union’s costly and ultimately failed invasion of Afghanistan, and public discontent and economic weakness in communist countries led to the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

    • Topic 8.8 Lesson Content File PDF

      Download and use this document for this lesson.

    • Topic 8.8 Lesson Video

      Watch this video for this lesson.

       

       

    • Topic 8.8 MCQs Quiz
      Opened: Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 10:23 AM

      There are 25 questions in this exercise. Try to complete them within 10 minutes.

    • Topic 8.8 LEQ Practice Assignment
      Opened: Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 10:00 AM

      Prompt:

      Evaluate the extent to which internal factors were more significant than external factors in causing the end of the Cold War.

       

      Student Task

      Write a full LEQ essay that includes:

      • A clear, historically defensible thesis
      • Contextualization (broader Cold War background)
      • Specific evidence (at least 4–5 pieces)
      • Analysis of:
        • internal factors (economic weakness, reforms, public discontent)
        • external factors (U.S. pressure, Afghanistan war)
      • Reasoning (causation and comparison of significance)
      • A complex understanding (nuanced argument or qualification)