After World War II, the United States of America and the Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers. The capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union had conflicting ideals, which created mistrust between the two countries. With the emergence of weapons of mass destruction after the use of the atomic bomb, fear of one another led the United States and Soviet Union to start an arms race and stockpile nuclear weapons, starting the Cold War.
The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between these two global superpowers and lasted from 1947 to 1991. Unlike previous wars, this was not a war fought on the United States or Soviet Union’s mainland, but rather by spreading American capitalism and Russian communism and strengthening their militaries to deter the other from attacking. As the Cold War progressed, the United States and the Soviet Union continued to develop and create nuclear weapons to destroy the other when it was necessary. Geopolitical tensions were high, as a press of a button from the United States and the Soviet Union could launch bombs at each other and destroy an estimated one-third of the world.
This website focuses on the events that occurred in the Western Hemisphere during the Cold War, primarily the United States' defense against the rise of communism in the West.
One such event was the Cuban Missile Crisis, as the United States was raised to the highest state of emergency in its history. Tensions rose to a high when the United States found nuclear missiles in Cuba, capable of destroying most United States cities in the eastern U.S.
Another event was the Hollywood Blacklist, a period of intense paranoia and repression during the Cold War. Tensions escalated as accusations of communist ties spread through Hollywood, leading to the blacklisting of writers, actors, and directors suspected of subversive activities. Careers were destroyed, and the entertainment industry was gripped by fear, as even the faintest association with communism could result in social and professional exile.
Finally, this project showcases the pivotal role that propaganda played during this tense time. For the U.S., it served as a powerful tool to counter communism by promoting democratic values, fostering dissent within Soviet-controlled regions, and undermining the legitimacy of communist regimes. By influencing public opinion and morale, both within the U.S. and abroad, propaganda became a key non-military strategy to weaken adversaries and gain support for Cold War objectives.