The Cold War in

the Popular Media

 Key idea

Juxtaposition (meaning?)

“The American Century”

(massive US strength and prosperity after the war)
vs…
Fear of communism
 Blacklisting
Read article on blacklisting from
Museum of Broadcast Communications
(on class web site, under ‘Articles’)
When done, prepare answers for:
In your own words, define ‘blacklisting.’
What was the justification for blacklisting?
Is it justifiable in your mind? Do you think
it was valid? Why?
What events in previous U.S. History are
analogous / related to blacklisting?
 Cold War Fears
Three general Cold War fears often
represented in the media in the 1950s and
1960s:
◦ Fear of communism (based on the closed
Soviet system; fear of the unknown)
◦ Fear of nuclear weapons (fear of the
unknown: what was their true power?)
◦ Fear of spies / enemies within
 Handout: “Documents Related to
Cold War Espionage”
Read handout
Prepare some answers to the questions
posed
Analyze this document
Joseph McCarthy, 1950

“ The reason why we find ourselves in a

position of impotency is not because our
only powerful potential enemy has sent men
to invade our shores, but rather because of
the traitorous actions of those who have
been treated so well by this Nation. …

This is glaringly true in the State

Department. There the bright young men who
are born with silver spoons in their mouths
are the ones who have been the worst.. . .
In my opinion, the State Department, which
is one of the most important government
departments, is thoroughly infested with
Communists.
Edward Murrow, See It Now,
March 9, 1954
Duck and
Cover!
In schools …
In comics…
 In movies …

Multiple examples from 1950s & ‘60s

◦ The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
◦ Godzilla (1954)
◦ Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
◦ The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
◦ Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Which of the generalized fears did each
show?
The Manchurian Candidate
◦ Basic plot; set stage for next scene
Crucial plot-reveal in The
Manchurian Candidate
 The Twilight Zone

Host:Rod Serling
1959 - 1964
Type of stories?
The Shelter, Part 1
The Shelter, Part 2
The Shelter, Part 3