Living in the atomic age

 

In this podcast from 2013, Dr Matthew Grant of Teeside University compares the effects of the Cold War on ordinary people in the USA and the UK. He begins by explaining how, when we study the Cold War, we mostly think of the politicians, spies and tense discussions involved. However, it is important to remember that the Cold War affected soldiers and everyday people who had to face the very real possibility of nuclear war.

Dr Grant compares how British and American families responded to the threat of war. In many ways, Americans were more severely affected during this time. While both British and American men were drafted, Americans who were drafted were mostly sent to Vietnam where many were killed, wounded and traumatised.

The Red Scare swept across the USA, as seen in the McCarthy witch hunts and the founding of the House of Un-American Activities Committees to investigate alleged ties to Communism. While people accused of Communism in Britain would be discriminated against, the discrimination was worse for Americans. Accused Hollywood actors were blacklisted and federal or state workers were ostracised and persecuted.

Dr Grant also compares how American and British families responded to the threat of nuclear war. In the 1950s and 1960s, Americans were worried over Cold War tensions and the trend of building fallout shelters began. This was aided by the economic boom of the 1950s, in which American middle classes were generally wealthy and lived in suburbs, so they had the money and space to build these shelters. Wealthy families built these shelters for themselves, and not in the interest of the general community’s safety. In comparison, British families did not have the money or space to build shelters and had a more bleak perspective on the war: they figured it was inevitable and there was no point trying to hide or save themselves. One way they reacted to the threat of war was in marches and protests in the 1960s.

This podcast is a useful source for all students to understand how Americans responded to the Cold War at home. Although the unit is twentieth century US history, it is important to remember that the Cold War was a global event that affected many other countries. Students studying with AQA will use this podcast for the American superpower in 1945–75 unit, taking a look at domestic problems during the Cold War and the rise of McCarthyism. Students using Edexcel will utilise this podcast to study the end of post-war euphoria in 1945–55. This includes the Red Scare and anti-communism, McCarthyism, HUAC and the reality of the nuclear age. Additionally, this podcast provides a useful context for understanding the family-oriented lifestyle of rich American suburbs, a topic covered by Edexcel’s specification of USA conformity. Students studying with WJEC will take a look at the impact of US involvement in the Cold War in the making of a superpower theme.

1. Living in the atomic and nuclear age. National Service.
2. Communist witchhunts in the US. McCarthyism.
3. Communists discriminated against in Britain but essentially left alone.
4. The Cuban Missile Crisis. Underground shelters in the US.
5. Britain's perception of the prospect of Nuclear War. CND.