"I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion, and the International Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all our precious bodily fluids.
-General Jack Ripper, from the movie "Dr. Strangelove" 1963The Cold War touched many aspects of American social and cultural life, from the civil rights movement to survivalist movement, from Hollywood to the universities. The nuclear threat—and the Communist philosophy lurking behind it—brought the National Defense Education Act, the interstate highway system, and growing mistrust of government by both liberals and conservatives. In ways sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle, the Cold War left its mark on activities ranging from art and poetry to movies and comic books. Sports events became particularly prominent venues for rivalry, beginning with the London Olympics in 1948 and peaking every fourth year thereafter. Training films, booklets, bomb shelters, and drills prepared citizens to respond to attack warnings and evacuation orders. Americans came to realize that intercontinental ballistic missiles had taken from them their two biggest buffers, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Now they would have not months but minutes to prepare for World War III. With all the fear in the world during that time of course Americans had to develop a culture based off the fear and tactics of fear. Let us examine a few shall we....
Bikini typically refers to a two-piece women's swimsuit. In 1946, the term "bikini" was coined by Louis Réard, who named the swimsuit after Bikini Atoll, where testing on the atomic bomb took place. Reard chose the name “bikini” because he believed the suit's revealing style would create a stir among people similar to their shock and surprise in response to America’s atomic bombing of Japan the previous summer.
Dr. Strangelove- A Cold War Classic about a fanatical U.S. general (Sterling Hayden) launches an air strike against the Soviets, they raise the stakes by threatening to unleash a "doomsday device," setting the stage for Armageddon in this classic black comedy that brilliantly skewers the nuclear age. I was introduced to Dr. Strangelove by my history professor Eric Singer and I must admit I am eternally grateful to him for it. This movie is hilarious but when viewed in context of cold war culture allows you to see sensitivity of the nature of nuclear war.
Excerpt from Dr. Strangelove 1963 "Precious Bodily Fluids"
Duck and Cover-a 1951 cold war educational movie explaining what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. It features in its opening a animated turtle named Bert, who happens to duck into his shell whenever danger is near. Most school aged children saw the film and certainly came home with many questions as well as fears.
Excerpt of Duck and Cover 1951 Educational Film
On the Beach is a 1959 film about a gradually dying-post apocalyptic world in Australia that remained after a nuclear World War III.
Senator Claude Pepper Red Record 1950- A pamphlet was circulated with the title The Red Record of Senator Claude Pepper, which painted him as a communist sympathizer, and cost him the election. He later served in the United States House of Representatives. Were all aware that the word "communist" back then was thrown around like the Bush Administration used the word "terrorist."
| 1950 The Red Record of Senator Pepper which lost him his election bid |
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| 1950s Instructional film on "Hazards & Fallout Shelters"
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) had hearings against suspected communists in Hollywood. Stars like Ronald Regan and Jackie Robinson were called to testify and give account. While some communists were rooted out, many more lives were ruined based on weak evidence, unsubstantiated accusations, and peoples’ refusal to take part in the hearings or answer questions. Anticommunist fervor trickled down to have local impacts as well. For example, the “Better American League of southern California gathered the names of nearly 2 million alleged subversives in the region” (Foner 864). Many of these people were fired, blacklisted, and had their civil rights violated based on these claims. Jackie Robinson was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee to testify against Paul Robeson in which Jackie sold out his good friend to save his career. Jackie Robinson, specifically stated that he was not a Communist. Interestingly enough in Robinson autobiography he had this to say..."However, in those days I had much more faith in the ultimate justice of
the American white man than I have today. I would reject such an
invitation if offered now . . . . I have grown wiser and closer to the
painful truths about America’s destructiveness. And I do have increased
respect for Paul Robeson who, over the span of twenty years, sacrificed
himself, his career, and the wealth and comfort he once enjoyed because,
I believe, he was sincerely trying to help his people."
Jackie Robinson appears before the House Un-American Activities Committee
Bob Dylan's powerful song "Masters of War," was another cold war classic. In his song Dylan speaks of the Military Industrial Complex that was dooming the American fabric during the cold war. It is a great song and when listened to in context of the Cold War you can understand the heartache and anguish that went into performing such a powerful and moving song.
Bob Dylan "Masters of War"
These are just a few gems from the cold war era if you find others please feel free to share.
Citations: Caute,David. The Dancer Defects: The Struggle for Cultural Supremacy During the Cold War ,Published by Oxford University Press, 2003,pg.611-613 David Cortright (2008). Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas, Cambridge University Press, p. 145. Whitfield, Stephen J., The Culture of the Cold War, page 194 |
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