Revisiting my learning intentions
My initial intentions for this project were to use my knowledge from the Manhattan project as a contextual foundation to understand how fear influenced the Cold War. The focus I intended to highlight was fear driving innovation, because this continued with my focus on the positive impacts and legacy of historically significant events, like the Manhattan project. Throughout this project, I strengthened habits around research, discussion, and self-reflection. My preflection and VMV’s helped guide me to collaborate respectfully and challenge myself to analyze content and think deeper about historical and contemporary connections.
Understanding Fear in the Cold War
Several key events deepened my understanding of fear as a political and cultural force.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis demonstrated the global fear of nuclear conflict.
- The Space Race showed how competition and anxiety pushed scientific advancement.
- The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan revealed how fear of communism shaped U.S. policy.
Most of my knowledge came from Britannica, the Canadian Encyclopedia, lectures, and documentary clips. These resources helped me recognize that the Cold War’s legacy of fear still influences politics today.
Fallout and Emotional Understanding
Reading Fallout added a human perspective to the Cold War. Scott’s fear, uncertainty, and moral conflict showed how individuals might react to the threat of nuclear destruction. The story helped translate historical concepts—propaganda, paranoia, and nuclear dread—into personal experiences.
Insights from Socratic Seminars
I came to the seminars prepared with knowledge and a group oriented approach, especially in the second and third seminars. I contributed ideas about fear as both a motivator and a destabilizing force. I developed skills in balancing my contributions with making space for others, and in asking questions that deepened the discussion. I’m proud of the class and how much we progressed as a group in having a connected and meaningful discussion.
The Pitch
As I mentioned before, my pitch centered on the idea that fear drives innovation. I wanted to make a double sided infographic that on one side displayed Cold War fears (MAD & nuclear deterrence, Propaganda, media & conformity, Education & culture of fear, Identity, family & daily life) and on the other side explain how those fears motivated global innovations and progress. For the visuals I wanted to take inspiration from civil defense instructional posters from the Cold War era. Ms. Willemse showed us a photo in class that inspired this idea. 
Research, peer feedback, and planning helped clarify how I wanted to express this concept. Due to a change in project path I did not end up creating my companion piece, but I am proud of the concept I had and plan I wohld have executed.
Final Reflection
I was surprised by how relevant Cold War fear feels today. This project helped me grow as a learner by pushing me to think critically, ask deeper questions, and connect historical events to modern issues. In the future, I’d like to explore doing more Socratic seminars, as I enjoyed them and believe they could help me further develop articulation skills and furthering group learning.
Thanks for reading.