Eisenhower was faced with the question of how to confront Soviet Communist expansionism. Students recreate Project Solarium to analyze primary sources, discuss and debate the merits of three options, and advise the president of their recommendations.
During the Cold War, President Eisenhower was tasked with developing a strategy to counter Soviet Communist expansion, a challenge that required careful analysis and decisive action. In this program, students are introduced to Project Solarium, a real-life task force convened by Eisenhower to explore different strategies for containing Soviet influence. Students take on the roles of national security advisors, diving into primary sources, historical documents, and case studies to examine three potential strategies: aggressive military action, diplomatic engagement, and containment. Through discussions and debates, students will evaluate the merits and risks of each option, ultimately presenting their recommendations to Eisenhower, simulating the decision-making process that shaped U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.
Program Length:
Program Length: 80
Grade Levels: 10th, 11th, 12th
Grade Levels: Presidential Decisions
Book Your Experience