Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.
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The origins of the Cold War: relations between The Soviet Union and ‘the west’ in the years leading up to the end of the Second World War
What will we cover?
- The divisions of Europe into two ‘blocs’: the Truman Plan, Marshall Aid and the problem of Berlin - The Cold War gets hot: i) Korea and Vietnam ii) Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean - The arms race and the Cuban Missile Crisis - Dissidence in the eastern bloc: including Hungarian and Polish risings and the ‘Prague Spring’ - Efforts to reduce tensions: détente and ‘Ostpolitik’ - Events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall; Solidarity in Poland; the role of Gorbachev and other key players in the USA and Europe in ending the Cold War.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Assess why the Cold War began and why and how it ended Evaluate the effects of the Cold War on people’s lives Explain how the Cold War brought conflict to many parts of the world
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an `introductory` course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. You will gain more from the course, in terms of enjoyment and learning, if you are able and willing to do some supplementary reading. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, intellectual curiosity and an open mind are more important than specific previous knowledge..
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Illustrated lectures, with maps and images. We will also look at relevant texts from the period (in translation where appropriate). There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and join in discussions. You will not need to do any preparation for the classes, but you will be given a book list in case you wish to takeyour studies further.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will find a notebook (or electronic device) useful if you wish to make notes. Some lively books will be recommended (though not required).
Optional Suggested Readings: The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction (2003) Robert J McMahon; Oxford paperback Cold War (1998, 2008), Jeremy Isaacs and Taylor Downing; illustrated edition Bantam 1998, paperback Abacus 2008.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the Global and Imperial History area of our website.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/the-cold-war147735The Cold Warhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpg329329GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history22851177117812101228511771178<p>Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.</p> The Cold War typically evokes associations of the Iron Curtain, the arms race, threat of nuclear war, protest movements, and spies. Yet we all see the Cold War differently. Historians are re-interpreting the Cold War in an increasingly global conversation on different events, themes, periods, places, dynamics and people. Looking beyond academia, some societies care little for the Cold War. For others, it is central to national identity. This also connects to how the Cold War was a lived experience for some people and not for others. What, then, are we to make of the Cold War today? How can we use it to understand our world of today and the challenges we face? <br />
<br />
Typically, Cold War history courses adopt chronological or geographic approaches, often tying in either with broader Western or narrower national narratives from 1945 to 1989. Instead, this course explores the Cold War through a range of themes that address our globally pivotal moment in time and onwards challenges. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.003036982The Cold War329329https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH263329329The Cold War263214329Alison Applebythe-cold-war/hwh263-2627<p>Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00<p>The origins of the Cold War: relations between The Soviet Union and ‘the west’ in the years leading up to the end of the Second World War<br></p><p>Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.</p><p>- The divisions of Europe into two ‘blocs’: the Truman Plan, Marshall Aid and the problem of Berlin<br>- The Cold War gets hot: i) Korea and Vietnam ii) Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean<br>- The arms race and the Cuban Missile Crisis<br>- Dissidence in the eastern bloc: including Hungarian and Polish risings and the ‘Prague Spring’<br>- Efforts to reduce tensions: détente and ‘Ostpolitik’<br>- Events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall; Solidarity in Poland; the role of Gorbachev and other key players in the USA and Europe in ending the Cold War.</p><p>Assess why the Cold War began and why and how it ended<br>Evaluate the effects of the Cold War on people’s lives<br>Explain how the Cold War brought conflict to many parts of the world</p><p>This is an `introductory` course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. You will gain more from the course, in terms of enjoyment and learning, if you are able and willing to do some supplementary reading. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, intellectual curiosity and an open mind are more important than specific previous knowledge..</p><p>Illustrated lectures, with maps and images. We will also look at relevant texts from the period (in translation where appropriate). There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and join in discussions.<br>You will not need to do any preparation for the classes, but you will be given a book list in case you wish to takeyour studies further.</p><p>You will find a notebook (or electronic device) useful if you wish to make notes. Some lively books will be recommended (though not required).<br><br>Optional Suggested Readings:<br>The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction (2003) Robert J McMahon; Oxford paperback<br>Cold War (1998, 2008), Jeremy Isaacs and Taylor Downing; illustrated edition Bantam 1998, paperback Abacus 2008.</p><p>Please see the Global and Imperial History area of our website.</p>HistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual263329214HWH263NONEThu17/09/26 - 10/12/2612:45 - 14:4512:4514:4512 sessions (over 13 weeks)1211 weeks or longerWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAlison ApplebyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeSep 2026Culture, history & humanities329329The Cold Warthe-cold-war/hwh263-2627<p>Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00<p>The origins of the Cold War: relations between The Soviet Union and ‘the west’ in the years leading up to the end of the Second World War<br></p><p>Explore how the "Grand Alliance" of the USA, Britain and the USSR degenerated into a Cold War that divided Europe for forty years. See where the Cold War got hot in other parts of the world. Break week/no class 29/10/2026.</p><p>- The divisions of Europe into two ‘blocs’: the Truman Plan, Marshall Aid and the problem of Berlin<br>- The Cold War gets hot: i) Korea and Vietnam ii) Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean<br>- The arms race and the Cuban Missile Crisis<br>- Dissidence in the eastern bloc: including Hungarian and Polish risings and the ‘Prague Spring’<br>- Efforts to reduce tensions: détente and ‘Ostpolitik’<br>- Events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall; Solidarity in Poland; the role of Gorbachev and other key players in the USA and Europe in ending the Cold War.</p><p>Assess why the Cold War began and why and how it ended<br>Evaluate the effects of the Cold War on people’s lives<br>Explain how the Cold War brought conflict to many parts of the world</p><p>This is an `introductory` course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. You will gain more from the course, in terms of enjoyment and learning, if you are able and willing to do some supplementary reading. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, intellectual curiosity and an open mind are more important than specific previous knowledge..</p><p>Illustrated lectures, with maps and images. We will also look at relevant texts from the period (in translation where appropriate). There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and join in discussions.<br>You will not need to do any preparation for the classes, but you will be given a book list in case you wish to takeyour studies further.</p><p>You will find a notebook (or electronic device) useful if you wish to make notes. Some lively books will be recommended (though not required).<br><br>Optional Suggested Readings:<br>The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction (2003) Robert J McMahon; Oxford paperback<br>Cold War (1998, 2008), Jeremy Isaacs and Taylor Downing; illustrated edition Bantam 1998, paperback Abacus 2008.</p><p>Please see the Global and Imperial History area of our website.</p>HistoryGlobal & imperial historyconfigurable
12101178Global & imperial historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history1/2/285/1177/1178/12101/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history
