The Cold War - The Global Cold War

Lesson 5: The Global Cold War – Korea, Vietnam & Decolonisation (KS3 History)
The Resource Nest

This lesson explores how Cold War rivalry spread far beyond Europe. Students examine why the USA and USSR fought indirectly through proxy wars, investigate the causes and impact of the Korean War, and trace how the conflict in Vietnam escalated into a major Cold War battleground. The lesson also evaluates how decolonisation created new regions where the superpowers competed for influence. Includes an accompanying worksheet.

Learning Objectives

• Understand why superpowers fought through proxy wars
• Explain the causes and impact of conflict in Korea
• Examine the escalation of the war in Vietnam
• Evaluate how decolonisation created new arenas for rivalry

Success Criteria
Students can:

• Explain why the USA and USSR avoided direct conflict but fought through proxy wars
• Describe the causes and key outcomes of the Korean War
• Analyse how and why the Vietnam War escalated
• Evaluate how newly independent nations became sites of Cold War competition