Process
Step One
The first step of this webquest is to get some ideas for your alternative history. It is suggested to look at other alternative or factual histories such as taking upon yourselves to watch such films as Thirteen Days, Dr. Strangelove, and/or Crimsom Tide. If you are unable to watch these films, try the following links to watch some clips from the films. It is not necessary to watch them, but it is recommended to get the creative juices flowing.
Suggested Films:
Dr. Strangelove-
Trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8dUqlxm3_o
War Room- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dQ643WzTPs
Doomsday Machine- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BldWP-V2ve8
Bombs Away!!!- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxrWz9XVvls
Crimson Tide-
Trailer- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/trailers-screenplay-E10487-310
Speech- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRxdrg9BtU
13 Days-
Trailer- http://www.trailerfan.com/movie/thirteen_days/trailer
Intro- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joixHTeJKy8
Recon- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-nljYQq9PM
Step Two
If process one is intended to aid your imagination and to get some creative ideas, process two is intended to build upon your prior knoweledge and acquire further factual information through research. You may use the following links, your class texts, or other sources to solidify your understanding of the period as long as all sources are refrenced and included at the end of your alternative history. You are writing a story in which there is no wrong answer, do a little research and LEARN something!!!
U. S. Foreign Relations- www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/frus
NATO/Warsaw- http://www.php.isn.ethz.ch/
Castro- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/peopleevents/e_coldwar.html
Overkill- http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb236/index.htm
Nuclear Warfare- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_warfare
Feel free to utilize other online sources that you may come across in your research.
Step Three
Now that you have some ideas and some supportive factual events/persons/things, let the writing begin! Remember, your alternative history must be at least two double-spaced typed pages, must include at least ten factual events/persons/things, and it is suggested to start your introduction with actual historical events and then let your imagination run wild.