The cold war was the political rivalry between the United States, the Soviet Union and their respective allies. For decades after World War II, the world experienced a series of threats as each side strived to outdo the other. Like past wars, the Cold war became a period of conflict between the superpowers influencing international politics. For Americans, the Soviet was a threat to their way of life invoking fear of attacks that could happen anywhere at any time. With intense political-military rivalry, the U.S went to great strides to inform the public on ways to protect themselves in case of military confrontation, especially in the form of nuclear bombs. Although Americans emerged victorious in the cold war, integration of drill films led to a change of learning in schools, adversely impacted mental health, disrupted social patterns, and invoked a sense of social conformity. However, with threats in American soil, the war influenced the elevation of status for men in uniform who inspired sons, daughters, and husbands to join the force to protect the country from threats.
For American youths, the education system was centered on learning life skills to survive in the midst of a war. In a world where every aspect was under threat, the U.S. government-centered its efforts on educating young scholars on how to live amid violence. They became well equipped in thought, to make judgments, and to act as fast to protect themselves from danger. The idea of drills in schools was to have individuals who could think quickly, effectively, and communicate 1 . Through films such as Duck and Cover, every child was given an overview of the atomic bomb and safety procedures from threats. If students were at school, they were expected to "Duck and Cover" as taught through the film no matter the age. Additionally, for children who were not in the presence of their parents or guidance, their life learned skills were to guide them to ask for help from older people and communicate their needs as they seek shelter.
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Cold war led to a society ridden in fear, anxiety, and paranoia. For children, the horrors of atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was depicted in films which was a reminder of what was in store for them under-the-desk bomb drills 2 . For instance, when films such as Duck and Cover could openly claim that the atomic bomb hurts worse than sunburns, it was a cause for worry and fear of what it would be like in instances when hiding and covering was not effective. The U.S. government influenced the rise of hysteria in the course of fighting communist infiltration. Although films provided the information the public needed, it was insensitive to people's psychological wellbeing. For instance, the students at school learned the cruelty of wars at a young age, and the pressure to act accordingly invoked constant fear that they could fail and die. Similarly, for adults, it meant they had to worry about themselves and their loved ones at a time when thousands were dying. At the same time, parents had to live with the uncertainty of whether their children will return back home in case atomic bomb goes off during school days.
Moreover, it disrupted social patterns that were integral to engagement. The war changed people, cities, and institutions that connected each member of society. For children who valued playing out in the fields, riding a bicycle, or walking down the school hallway, every step was taken with caution that just in case of "a flashlight, they had to Duck and cover." Indeed, recreation activities were adversely impacted as families strived to protect themselves from impending dangers. Ideally, the American culture of spending time with family equates to outlining how individuals spent their day. However, when children spent their day on drills, the conversation shifted to war and how prepared every person ought to be. From a great distance, interactions became a risk to weigh between what-ifs. For instance, when a mother sent her children to school, went out for a picnic, kids went out to play, what if the atomic bomb went off. Even with Duck and cover, it was not an assurance that people could go on with their lives just because there is a new film informing them how to protect themselves.
Additionally, the war created a society deeply rooted in conformity for survival and political power. The battle was the epitome of superpowers' portrayal and set one country above or below the other. A common course unified people in schools and homes, believing that there was an enemy and all had a role to play to defeat it. Cold war unified beliefs, values that invoked us vs. them kind of living. For Americans, they had to adapt to the reality or misconception of having enemies. It also invoked the need to rise above the Soviet superpowers. For four decades, society was United by depictions that set them in relation to each other. Through the school drills, children were mentally prepared and taught between love for Americans and hate for the Soviets. The valid interpretation for children and youth was to hold on to the U.S.'s positive image and support its course and narrative 3 . Hence, although there were issues threatening society, such as economic hardships, nothing else unified the people more than the war and the need to win it.
Nonetheless, it led to the status change for soldiers and a newfound respect for their work. The drills insisted on the need to obey the civil defense workers and their course of defending American lives. Not only did they inspire the toughest in society, but they encouraged children, husbands, and sons to join the force for men in uniform who endured a great deal of suffering, sacrifices, and deaths to protect the citizens. Regardless of encounter, they had sacrificed a great deal, and we're there to help with the uncertainties. Indeed, power being the center of international relationships, children and adults saw the real power held by soldiers who were fearless and capable of protecting themselves in the wake of adversities. The state and society could justify the need for control and action against the enemies. It also inspired children to go through school and gain life skills to help the country win the war. If Duck and cover in a school drill made children feel helpless, it became a personal quest to learn how to do more to increase destructive capabilities.
Conclusively, although American triumphed in the cold war, it was a dark era for the entire world. In society, the use of films to inform and prepare young adults was an indication that these were not ordinary times. Indeed the education system adjusted it’s teaching methodologies to accommodate the need for life skills that children could use for protection. However, the fear of atomic bombs, anxiety, and paranoia became the norm in response to the threats that could happen anywhere at any time. Social disruption became an element in living while the love for country and hate for the Soviet Union shaped beliefs and attitudes of old and young. Nonetheless, with drills carrying on the message of respect for soldiers, it elevated their status and inspired the ordinary Americans to join the force.
Bibliography
Gregg, Spencer C.J. Crisis in Education -- The Effect of the Cold War on the American Education System. Portland State University PDX. 2016
Jonnes, Denis. Cold war American literature and the rise of youth culture: Children of Empire. 2016. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291834923_Cold_war_American_literature_and_the_rise_of_youth_culture_Children_of_empire/citation/download
Thompson, Olasupo. "The Post-Cold War United States: A Looming Stone for This Goliath." Canadian Social Science 10, no. 5 (2014): 106-113.
1 Gregg, Spencer C.J. Crisis in Education -- The Effect of the Cold War on the American Education System efficiently. Portland State University PDX. 2016
2 Thompson, Olasupo. "The Post-Cold War United States: A Looming Stone for This Goliath." Canadian Social Science 10, no. 5 (2014): 106-113.
3 3 Jonnes, Denis. Cold war American literature and the rise of youth culture: Children of Empire. 2016.
