The Cold War had a substantial impact on American culture during the 1950’s and 60’s especially. Themes such as nuclear war and espionage permeated popular culture during this time period as tensions between the USSR and the USA escalated.
In literature, dystopian themes were prevalent. Books such as the Manchurian Candidate and The Fourth Protocol reflected fears of Soviet takeover, while books like 1984 and Alas, Babylon explored what Soviet domination might actually look like.
Television, a new medium, also reflected people’s preoccupation with the U.S. Shows like I Spy, Danger Man, Mission: Impossible and I Led Three Lives were all spy dramas, many with Soviet characters. Some shows even made fun of the tension, such as Get Smart and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
Many movies came out that dealt with the themes of nuclear apocalypse. Doctor Strangelove, Fail-Safe and WarGames all reflected the ever-pervasive fear of nuclear destruction. James Bond films were notorious for showcasing East/West tensions, as were films like Firefox and Hunt for the Red October.
Even athletic competitions became venues for Soviet-American showdowns. These sports festivals provided opportunities for the two superpowers to show off the benefits of their respective systems.
As you can see, the Cold War became the driving force behind popular culture for decades.
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