Poly 1

Stephanie Poly

CAS-137

17 November 2016

From Crisis to Pride: A Shift in American Confidence

During the years following World War II, both the Soviets and the Americans sought to

become the new world power. With this need for power and the rapid progression in technology

especially in relation to nuclear weapons political tensions between the Soviet Union and the

United States became increasingly more strained. The arms race was especially a cause for

tension and public fear. As the Soviet Union started producing more advanced nuclear weapons,

Americans became especially afraid of another war. As President Carter noted in an address to

the nation, there was a crisis of confidence among Americans. This crisis, however, did not

persist for the entirety of the Cold War. After the United States defeated the Soviets in a now

iconic hockey game during the nineteen eighty Olympics, Americans became more confident in

their government and nation. The medias response to this hockey game as well as the famous

comments made by announcer Al Michaels helped to facilitate this change in public attitude.

Prior to the nineteen eighties, American confidence was facing a rapid decline. The fight

against communism coupled with a nuclear arms race ignited an extended period of public fear.

The Korean War commonly thought of as the act that ignited the Cold War was a direct fight

against communism. Due to the war, Americans began to consider communism as a campaign

that could potentially take over the world, especially since both the Soviets and the North

Koreans had powerful armies (History.com Staff). Furthermore, Americans felt that if the war

was not won, then it proved the Soviets had the power to continue dominating the world and

threatening democracy. President Truman reflected this sentiment as he noted in an address to his
 Poly 2

advisors, If we let Korea down, the Soviet[s] will keep right on going and swallow up one

[place] after another (History.com Staff). In nineteen fifty-three, when the war ended in a

stalemate with forty thousand American casualties, Americans back home had a reason to be

fearful.

The threat of a nuclear war persisted as the Soviets continued to build up their military.

This was cause enough for a decline in American confidence, but this attitude became even more

prevalent after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in December of nineteen seventy-nine. This

continued to reaffirm the belief that the Soviets had a strong political influence and a powerful

military to overtake other countries. The invasion of Afghanistan was the only time the Soviets

had invaded a country outside the Eastern Bloc, and for this reason the invasion was considered

one of the biggest crises of the Cold War (Milestones). The other major reason American

morale was low was due to the compilation of events that were occurring overseas. The invasion

of Afghanistan occurred only a month after the Iranian Hostage crisis, in which the United States

Embassy in Tehran was overrun and 50 Americans were taken hostage. This crisis made the

United States government looked ineffectual, as they could not maintain foreign relations

(https://history.state.gov). The coupling of the Iranian Hostage Crisis and the Invasion of

Afghanistan only a month later led Americans to lose faith in their country.

The idea that America was a super-power whose beliefs of democracy and freedom could

not be challenged was beginning to seem more unrealistic. With the crises arising overseas, the

possibility that American democracy could fall seemed more likely. As the Cold War persisted,

this uncertainty and fear in the American people became a common theme. As the Olympic

games approached in nineteen-eighty, this theme did not go away. On the contrary, President

Carter recognized the fear in his citizens and even boycotted the summer Olympics to make a
 Poly 3

point to the Soviets to get out of Afghanistan. As the winter Olympics approached, tension

between the Soviets and the Americans remained high, especially since the two countries would

be competing against each other.

Although the Olympics are meant to symbolize international cooperation and

understanding through sports, they are highly politicized events. This is why the historical

hockey game between the Soviets and the Americans on February twenty-first, nineteen eighty

was not just a hockey game. Additionally, the Olympics typically promote a sense of nationalism

within the hosting country, as it is the center of international focus (Borden). Due to the political

nature of the Olympics, especially during a time of tension, as well as the promotion of

nationalism during the games, the game was able to promote a significant turning point in

American confidence.

The Soviets, known to have the best hockey team in the world, played the United States,

a team made up of young college kids, in a game that would make history. During this Olympic

game, the United States were able to beat the odds and defeat the Soviets four to three. The

Soviet team, unlike the United States, was compromised of skaters who had been playing

together for as many as ten years. Additionally, a few days prior to the Olympic Opening

Ceremony, the Soviets annihilated the United States team ten to three in a pre-game match.

These facts were only a reminder of the progression of the Cold War, and the American people

recognized it. A few days before the game, Mike Eurizione, captain of the team, told CBS he

received a telegram from a lady in Texas with only one statement: Beat those commie bastards

("Winter). The statement made by the woman from Texas attested that the Olympics were not

isolated from politics. Since the Olympics were highly politicized, especially during this time,

the Olympic games became a metaphor for the war that was occurring in reality. And just like the
 Poly 4

odds of the Americans defeating the Soviets in the Olympics seemed improbable, so did the

prospect of the Americans winning the Cold War.

The Americans were able to beat the odds, however, and the metaphorical war was won.

This game was a pivotal changing point of attitude for Americans. The game itself, did not cause

this change, rather, the rhetoric behind it did. Politicians and Journalists took the victory as an

opportunity to claim supremacy in politics and create a sense of nationalism and confidence

(Abelson). Sports announcer Al Michaels made multiple comments before and after the game

that would facilitate this change in the American mindset. Additionally, the response to the game

by multiple reputable newspapers amplified the victory and its importance in regard to the Cold

War and American sentimentality towards the nation. The New York Daily News published one

such newspaper article entitled U.S. Shocks Russians 4-3. In this article, author Lawrie Mifflin

used specific metaphors to describe the game and the individual players. Her article among

others enforced the idea that the game was more than just a game; rather, it was a political

victory that could stimulate change.

Towards the start of her article, Mifflin reminded the public, The political atmosphere

made emotions even more intense. In order to make more metaphorical and emotional

statements in the conclusion of her article, Mifflin first had to begin with the logical argument of

why a hockey game had such an important impact. To do this, Mifflin simply stated the facts and

prime reasons tension between the Soviets and Americans were running high. Among these facts

she mentioned the invasion of Afghanistan and the rallying around Carters decision to boycott

the Summer Olympics in Moscow. These were reminders to her audience that although the

Olympics seemed to consume viewers in the aesthetics and incredible talent, real political issues

were still occurring across the nation and overseas. These facts also reinforced the implied
 Poly 5

metaphor that the hockey game represented the Cold War. Mifflin chose not to make this link

directly apparent, yet was still able to imply it through her choice to address the political tensions

that were plaguing Americans. Later in her article, as Mifflin addresses how the Americans won,

she makes note of the publics response as well as the response of President Carter. Mifflin states

that Carter phoned Herb Brooks, the coach of the United States team, and was quoted as saying,

"You make the American people very proud. Your team reflects the ideals of our country."

Mifflins mention of this quote is important for two reasons. Firstly, after explaining the technical

aspect of the game for hockey enthusiasts, Mifflin links the game back to something with more

political weight than just a hockey game. This again served as a reminder that the hockey game

was important enough to cause a change in American sentiment towards the outcome of the Cold

War. Secondly, this quotation reflects the immediate change of attitude following the game.

Carters Crisis of Confidence speech was evidence that American confidence was low and

problematic in the country. In contrast to this well-known speech, Mifflin was able to show her

audience the impact of the game by sharing Carters turning viewpoint. In contrast to Carters

statement that American confidence was low a few months earlier, his new statement, that

Americans were very proud was a principal example of how the victory of the Americans over

the Soviets impacted the nation.

Mifflins statements of fact, however, are not the only aspect to facilitate a change in

American confidence and attitude on the prospect of the Cold War. Towards the conclusion of

her article, Mifflin amplifies the victory by labeling the American players as heroes. Mifflin uses

the rule of three to drive and strengthen her point to her audience, Jim Craig was definitely a

hero Mike Eruzione, the U.S. captain was a heroMark Johnson was a hero. Mifflins

rhetorical strategy not only amplified the outcome of the game but also gave American citizens
 Poly 6

someone to believe in and someone to have confidence in. Typically when Americans talk about

heroes, they are referring to war heroes. This is another implied metaphor Mifflin makes between

the game and the Cold War. Although the players on the American team were not part of the

military though ironically many Soviet players were they were still indirectly called war

heroes for their incredible victory. Their association with being heroes is what helped give

Americans confidence in their citizens and their nation.

Of course, Mifflins article is not the only source of rhetoric which helped facilitate a

change in the nation. Al Michaels comments before and during the game have resonated with

people today, as their impact was profound. Prior to the game Michaels says, Im sure there are

a lot of people in this building who do not know the difference between a blue line and a closed

line. Its irrelevant. This statement served to heighted the impact of the victory later on as it also

served to make the metaphorical link between the Cold War and the game. Michaels specifically

recognized that many of those who were watching probably didnt even understand the basics of

hockey since it wasnt about the sporting event anymore but rather the political connotations that

the game held.

After a long and tense game, Michaels asked a rhetorical question that is still remember

today. In the final seconds of the game, as the clock hit zero, Michaels belted, Do you believe in

Miracles? This line has since been iconized for its impact. This question was one of the major

confidence-boosters to American citizens. It implied that although the Cold War was long and

tense like the game, the miracle of winning the Cold War was still possible. Ever since this

rhetorical question was asked, the game between the Americans and Soviets has been referred to

as the Miracle on Ice. This miracle of defeating the Soviets as Michaels puts it was the

most improbable circumstance you could ever have imagined. This hyperbole serves to
 Poly 7

strengthen the importance of the American victory. By dramatizing the game, especially through

using the implied metaphor between the game and the Cold War, Michaels, Mifflin and other

journalists were able to boost American confidence by providing Americans with a moment of

relief and joy for once in a time of constant fatigue and disappointment.

Immediately following the game, Americans felt confident as they felt their way of life

was somehow validated. In a post-game call, Herb Brooks told Carter, It just proves our way of

life is the proper way to continue (Andrew). Brooks relayed what seemed every American who

watched the game felt: pride. In the short-time period just after the game, Americans felt a new

since of strength in their government. They felt like there was new proof that democracy was

superior and communism couldnt persist.

The perception of President Carters boycott on the summer Olympics in Moscow had

also changed at this point. Instead of the boycott being an act of fear, it turned into an act of

pride. People began to see Carters boycott on the Olympics as a long awaited shift from dtente

politics (Saum). Since Americans were still buzzing off their win during the hockey game, they

took this boycott as the American government finally taking the offense against the Soviets.

Unlike they had thought previously, it was no longer an act of desperation.

In the years that followed, the Cold War still persisted, but the way people talked about

the war had changed. As the Cold War ended, the United States immigration rates were

increasing. At the same time, the Soviet Union was losing people. This was seen as an

ideological failure on the part of the Soviets (Maddux). Americans felt that since the Soviets

were losing people, their way of life was being challenged. This idea that people were choosing

the Americans over the Soviets was nationalistic, which also served to further American

confidence.
 Poly 8

Michaels and Mifflins comments may have not changed the outcome of the Cold War,

but they did help facilitate a shift in American sentiment towards their country. From a Crisis of

Confidence, Americans were able to gain back their pride and start to believe in their

government again. The Cold War still persisted for a few years following the Miracle on Ice

but the way people talked about the war and Soviets had changed. This is not to say the fear of a

Soviet attack had fully dissipated. Rather, the hockey game finally gave people a moment of

hope after a period of doubt, and for this they started to believe in their country again.