Scaffolding Questions for Supporting Thinking about Arguments in Expert Groups

George C. Marshall

1. What are the “political and economic means” used to contain communist aggression that Marshall refers to?
2. Why is he so set against any form of appeasement?
3. What “horrible cost” is Marshall referring to?
4. Why does Marshall seem so committed to a “free economy” in Europe?
5. What does Marshall think will happen if West Berlin falls to Soviet control?
6. What “responsibility” does Marshall believe has been placed on the U.S.?
7. What course of action does Marshall seem to be suggesting to Truman?
8. What reasons does he give to support this position?

George Kennan

1. How does Kennan describe the “Soviet mindset”?
2. What does he say has created this?
3. How does he believe they will act now because of this worldview?
4. What “good news” does he offer Truman during this difficult time?
5. What course of action does he suggest to Truman?
6. What assurances does he offer that this will be effective without leading to war?

Henry Wallace

1. What is Wallace’s main objective in writing this letter?
2. Why is he so concerned with getting the President to listen to him?
3. How does he explain the “Russian character” (mindset or worldview)?
4. What does he believe the consequences of a standoff with the Soviets will be?
5. What course of action does he recommend to the President?
6. What reasons does he give to support this position?

Walter Lippman

1. How does Lippman feel about the “containment policy”?
2. Why is he so critical of this policy?
3. What does he believe is the only way to settle the Berlin crisis (and the overall conflict between the U.S. and the Soviets)?
4. Why does he see confrontations with the Soviets in Europe to be so negative?
5. Why does the Berlin crisis particularly disturb Lippman?
6. What course of action does he recommend to the President?
7. What reasons does he give to support this position?