Why I Created My "Trade Wars of the 21st Century" Bundle

As a teacher, I know how challenging it can be to make complex global events feel relevant and accessible to students. I believe the best lessons are those that connect classroom concepts to the real world, and few topics are more dynamic than international trade and policy. This bundle was born out of that belief, and it came together in a way that I think makes it a truly unique and valuable classroom tool.

It all started with the "Impact of President Trump's Tariffs" unit. I saw a lot of news coverage and debate around the policies, but I also noticed a gap in the resources available to help students understand the economic and political underpinnings. I wanted to create a resource that went beyond the headlines, allowing students to analyze the development of the tariffs, explore their real-world effects on different industries, and understand the concept of "winners" and "losers" in trade conflicts. This resource blends historical context with contemporary data to provide a comprehensive view.

While working on that first unit, I was struck by the news surrounding the American agricultural sector. The daily stories of farmers struggling with the consequences of the U.S.-China trade war were a stark and human example of economic policy in action. This inspired me to create the "Sowing the Seeds of Conflict" unit, which uses the U.S.-China trade conflict as a central case study. This unit focuses on the specific real-world consequences for American agriculture, offering a tangible example of how macro-level policies affect individual lives and livelihoods. It allows students to apply economic concepts to a specific industry, making the learning more concrete.

As I was developing the farming unit, I realized a similar resource was needed to address trade from a different perspective. My students often ask questions about the U.S.'s relationship with its closest neighbors, and with the "The US-Canada Trade Relationship and Trump's Tariffs" unit, I found a perfect way to explore those dynamics. This resource helps students analyze how economic policies, political rhetoric, and cultural trends are all interconnected. Using a central case study, students can investigate how trade disputes have affected both government policy and the daily lives of citizens in both countries. The unit even includes creative assignments like exploring the "Buy Canadian" movement and considering the "51st State" argument, which encourages students to think about trade's influence on national identity.

By bundling these three resources together, I hope to provide a truly comprehensive and interdisciplinary unit that can be used in a variety of courses—from Economics and Civics to History and Media Studies. Each unit is designed to stand alone, but together they offer a rich, multifaceted look at the complexities of global trade. I believe the blend of detailed readings, editable presentations, and engaging assignments—including data analysis, simulations, and persuasive writing—will help teachers save valuable time while creating a dynamic learning experience for their students. I hope this bundle empowers teachers to spark curiosity and critical thinking in their classrooms, helping students understand the economic forces that shape our world.

You can view the entire bundle here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trade-Wars-and-the-USA-A-3-Part-Unit-on-Global-Economics-Politics-Policy-14487148