How Did The Post Nuclear War Affect American Culture In The 1960s

By 1960 fears of nuclear war, Soviet advances in space exploration and technology, And a persistent recession at home. Generally a 1960 the American public have lost their confidence and seemed to have lost their way as well. This sense of lacking is something that John F Kennedy made Central to his 1960 campaign for president. By October 1957 Sputnik, a Soviet satellite was launched. One month later the Soviets launched another satellite carrying a small dog, the first living creature to to leave the Earth's atmosphere. Abroad these Soviet advances seemed to erode America's status and the value of American capitalism. Thirdly Soviet success with the intercontinental ballistic missiles, (ICBM), negatively affected American national pride as well as created fear that the Soviets
could attack at any time. Both Alaska and Hawaii were granted statehood during this period as a strategic move to provide America with positions for early warning systems for potential Soviet rocket attacks. Soon after, a Gallup poll proved what Americans were feeling. The poll measuring Prestige abroad indicated American prestige had dropped in six out of seven countries polled. Unknown to the American public at the time the US government also feared the possibility of atomic weapons being delivered by enemies to the US in luggage.
Fears of radioactive fallout and potential health problems we're also increasing as it was being learned that radioactive substances were being found in soil and food. The general unease and fear was capitalized on by Hollywood. A number of motion pictures were produced as well that played to the public concern and fears of the atomic age. 1959 saw the most poignant film of the decade produced depicting the human race after nuclear war. On the beach painted an apocalyptic and frightening picture of America post-nuclear war. Another threat that created a threat a great amount of fear was that of communism moving into the Western Hemisphere. Within 90 miles of the coast of Florida on the small island of Cuba Fidel Castro led a successful Insurrection against the American supported dictatorship of Batista. After the United States threatened cut off economic aid to Castro he declared his support for communism and align himself with the Soviets as well as confiscating about 1 billion dollars worth of United States
property. Another nationally humiliating event was that of the United States U-2 spy plane being shot down over the over the Soviet Union. Piloted by Gary Powers,Washington had initially claimed plane was simply a weather weather gathering effort and that the aircraft had mistakenly flown off course and was shot down without provocation. This entire event took place just prior to a planned meeting in Paris between Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev. The Soviets proudly displayed Airman Gary powers as well as evidence of Espionage equipment that he was carrying on board. Fears, military setbacks, and having to focus energy on potential nuclear attacks generally drained the happiness, energy, and excitement from the American people. For example, in 1950 the Civil Defense Agency published tips on how to survive a nuclear attack. Simplistic and Elementary in nature these tips were practiced in schools and did little more than promote existing fears of such attacks. Government studies, books, and newspaper articles constantly reminded Americans that they could fall victim to a nuclear attack at any time. By 1959 Americans were informed through a congressional study that 28% of the population would be killed in the event of a nuclear attack. Nevertheless, attacks from abroad had become only one of America's fears as growing racial tensions where beginning to take a more prominent role in American society. John F Kennedy, in his campaign for president, took full advantage of the problems America was facing at the time and by offering solutions gained enough voter confidence to be elected president.