How did the Cold War affect American culture?

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.