The first shows how the Ukrainian population is divided east/west by language and ethnicity. It also gives a little history of the Crimea. It was ceded by Ukraine from Russia in the 1950s when they were both part of the USSR. Now that they are independent countries, Russia wished they never let it go. I had the students imagine if Michigan ceded the Upper Peninsula to Wisconsin (it might not be a big deal if the states remain part of the US). If ten years later the states became independent from the US, Michigan might want that territory back.
The second article explains how this crisis may affect the world economy (already the US stock market has taken a hit). The students need to understand the potential impact of events in other parts of the world.
Also, I tried to explain to them that all events they experience and learn about will become part of their understanding of the US. These experiences will help them form their opinions in the future that may affect the US. Adults today use events like Vietnam, the Gulf War, Korea, USSR/ Afghanistan, etc, to help them make decisions today - or at least we hope they are using past events and understanding of our relationships with other countries to help guide their decisions. We also hope that individuals from their generation are paying attention to these things as well.
I related it to them being asked over to someone's house. To decide if they would like to go you must take into account your past history with this person and what you know about them. If this person beat you up a few months ago and spent last week in jail you would use this information to make an informed decision. Hopefully, someone knows the past history of other countries and the US's relationship with them before making decisions. My students might be future presidents and military leaders - they need to pay attention.
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