The effects of the Cold War on Americans between 1945 and 1960
The end of World War Two saw the emergence of two superpowers and rival enemies, the United States and the Soviet Union. The relationship between these two after the war was sour to say the least but a war between the two would have been catastrophic thus the given name that characterized that time period, the cold war. Both the United States and the Soviet Union existed in what was known as a cold war for they each had powerful weapons thus they reasoned that if they were to go to war directly, the results would be catastrophic. Instead of the two fighting each other directly, they each showed the extent of their might in different indirect conflicts aimed at scaring off the other. One of the showoffs was when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The war and the consequential dropping of the atomic bomb were great sources of tension between the two countries. American life during the period of 1945 to 1960 was in some ways positive and in others; it was negatively affected by the tensions from the Cold War (Walker, 1995). These negative and positive aspects of the American life during this time period will be looked at in the ensuing paragraphs.
The tensions of the Cold War as aforementioned had their own effects on American lifestyle especially during the period between 1945 and 1960. One of the aspects that were positively affected during the Cold War tensions was that of American Consumer culture. After World War II, the United States was characterized by widespread economic growth such that it took its position during that time as the world’s richest economy. This growth in the economy meant that the now previous Americans who were in the lower ranks of the economy, became part of the middle class economy for prosperity was from all sides. This growth of American consumer culture during this period can be said to have been characterized by several things. One, the Automobile industry during this period produced and sold a lot of cars, a boost for the economy. Additionally, a housing boom was seen during this time for servicemen had just returned from war and thus went in all directions acquiring a place to stay. This too had a positive effect on the economy. Additionally, the firms and conglomerates of that time started doing well and the income which was generated from them was a major boost to the United States economy. As individuals, the Americans too started to prosper; this period was characterized by more and more Americans acquiring white collar jobs. Most Americans during this time took up jobs as teachers, salespersons, managers, and the likes and due to the prosperity that was being experienced at that time, firms which employed such people paid them good wages alongside other employee benefits (Whitfield, 1991). Thus even with all the tensions that were fueling between the two countries, America nonetheless experienced tremendous economic growth that no doubt went a long way into easing the tensions on the ground.
The daily life of the Americans was also affected during this period. The years from 1945 to 1960 were characterized by a lot of movement. Due to the economic growth aforementioned, and the American’s general want for a good life, many Americans moved from their previous farms, to suburban cities. Americans found that in the suburbs, they would be more likely to enjoy the American dream, thus this period was characterized by high movements. As a result of this, cities in the West and the Southwest experienced tremendous growth. An example was the city of Los Angeles, California that at this period became the largest United States city. Not only were Americans moving from farm states to industrial driven states, but more and more Americans as they continued to prosper, they moved from inner cities to suburbs. The typical American family during this period had a large family, and thus they opted to move to larger suburbs, which at that time afforded them better housing at affordable costs. Even with the movement in search for better housing, the Cold War was still a gripping reality. Americans were fearful of the threat of a nuclear attack thus more efforts were put forth by American families in the building of bomb shelters (May, 2008). The fact that Americans on one hand sought a better life and on the other, put concentrated efforts to building bomb shelters shows that fears from the existing tensions were prevalent.
The entertainment culture in the United States at that time was also affected by the tensions of the Cold War. On one aspect, the entertainment culture grew as more Americans started watching more television, reading more books, and the likes. On the other, the entertainment arena was the voice of the Americans regarding the Cold War that was in existence. Music, movies, books, and other media were used to portray the existing tensions. In most works, the artists expressed their fears that the Cold War would surely ensue into World War III. Additionally, artists used this platform to condemn the dropping of the atomic bomb (Whitfield, 1991). So in essence even surrounded by such prosperity, Americans were still not at ease and the entertainment arena was the voice box of a majority of American opinions regarding the existing tensions.
During this time period, communism was seen as something that was getting out of hand. People feared that communism was being infiltrated in the government, schools and places of work among others. In fact, tensions regarding the threat of communism were so high that those Americans, who were seen to be sympathetic towards communists, lost their livelihood. Many workers who were seen as sympathizers lost their jobs. Thus the tension as a result of the Cold War was seen between Americans, and not just the Americans and the Soviet Union. Americans were not spared of the tension amongst themselves. With all the communism fervor, the women were caught right in the middle. Women were the ones left at home to take care of the family home and the children. They were the ones charged with the responsibility of holding the family together in the midst of all the tensions. The women had to make sure that they held their families together, as this was the only way that they could hope to fight off the growing communist infiltration. Religion was greatly enforced by women during this time, the women felt that taking their children to Sunday school, and their attendance of church services was one way of holding their families together. On the home front, things were made easier for women especially in the midst of the changing economy. More technological gadgets were made for the woman and such gadgets went a long way into easing the burden of home chores (May, 2008). So on one hand, women had an easier time when it came to home chores and on the other they had the hard time of keeping the family together in the midst of all the growing tensions.
The minorities were the group of people who probably felt the tensions the most. The minorities depicted a sad picture for the economy around them was prospering yet their lives were full of doom and gloom. The blacks, Hispanics and other minorities faced continued stiff discrimination during this time and they thus had nothing good to live for. The minorities had to worry about a looming nuclear attack as well as having to face the blatant discrimination on the American soil (Whitfield, 1991). Thus it is safe to say that the minorities experienced the most effects from the tension.
In summary, the cold war and the dropping of the atomic bomb had its own effects on the American society present during 1945 to 1960. Tensions from these two episodes ensued and most Americans led a life of fear as a result. The dropping of the bomb was met with criticism and a renewed sense of fear as regards a nuclear attack. Life in America during this time was one of great contrast. On one hand, the economy prospered, and so did some Americans while on the other; fear, tensions and discrimination were rampant in the country. Even so, this period during the Cold War was a great lesson for Americans.
Reference
Walker, Martín. (1995). The Cold War: a history. H. Holt.
Whitfield, Stephen. (1991). The culture of the cold war. Johns Hopkins University Press.
May, Elaine. (2008). Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era. Basic Books.
