RDiaz ColdWar Unit2Assignment

Cold War Effects on American Families

Robert Diaz
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SS310: Exploring the 1960s: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Prof: John Rinciari
April 2, 2013
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After conducting my interviews I have a much more extensive knowledge of what the Cold War meant to families in that era. I surpassed what is constantly discussed in scholarly circles, and became indoctrinated it what was discussed at the dinner table. I interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Russ Philpot, Russ was born in 1943, and Mary was born in 1946. They both stated the Cold War was synonymous with fear. My third interview was Mr. Luis Rodda he was born in 1962; he provided good insight in to the Bay of Pigs. All three interviewees advised most their knowledge came from media, very little was covered in the schools, however all stated they performed emergency drills at schools. After combining all the notes from my interviews this is what I have been immersed in.
The Cold War began in 1945 and went through 1991. It was primarily over the nuclear arsenals amassed by the USA and the Soviet Union. This scared many Americans because we were targets of the bomb threats that would be dropped on them at any time. Families were building shelters and underground homes. Many in the US including government became preoccupied with satellite launches and accusing innocent people of spying.
The constant threats that came from war were difficult for Americans to live with. People were constantly looking over their shoulder; for not only bomb threats from the Russians but also from their own government who believed innocent people were in cahoots with the Soviets. Many people lost their lives working in the nuclear plants due to the effects of radiation. The US government had developed the montage of keeping up with the “Jones”. The dangers being placed on their own citizens was of little concern to them. The economy began to struggle because the Cold War was putting stress on so many countries that exports and imports began to slow, which was the demise of many companies. Then came the recession in the 80’s which Mr. Rodda believes caused the stay at home mom to go into the workplace. (L. Rodda personal communication, March 27, 2013)
Entire communities were terrified of the atomic bomb so they worked hard to build shelters and families practiced bomb drills instead of fire drills and a gas mask was part of daily routine. Family members traded necklaces in for dog tags in event of a bomb drop. Fear began to take over our American way of life. From building a shelter to carrying g a gas mask everywhere, the American people lived in a state of fear; the government escalated these fears as oppose to ease them. The recession also caused families to be on welfare and the government instituted the government food box. The box consisted of powdered cheese, dry milk, and real butter. “I can still taste that milk today it was terrible.”(M.Philpot, personal communication, March 27, 2013) The government had come out on several occasions and told us that real milk was tainted with radiation.
The cold war hardened our resolve as a nation, we learned about fear and the value of family. It taught us how to be prepared for anything.

References
Farber, D. (1994). Age of Great Dreams In the 1960’s. New York: Hill and Wang

References: Farber, D. (1994). Age of Great Dreams In the 1960’s. New York: Hill and Wang