1. Fear of Communism: There was a widespread fear of the spread of communism, particularly after World War II. Communism came to represent not only a political ideology but also a threat to American values, way of life, and democratic institutions.
2. National security and Anti-Communism: The United States adopted a policy of containment to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing boundaries. This policy led to a significant focus on national security, military strength, and the development of nuclear arsenals.
3. Propaganda and Media influence: The Cold War was characterized by a vigorous propaganda war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Each country used media to spread its version of events and ideologies. This constant barrage of information aimed at influencing public opinion and reinforcing their respective positions.
4. Division of the World: The world became increasingly divided into two spheres of influence - the Western Bloc, led by the United States, and the Eastern Bloc, dominated by the Soviet Union. Americans strongly supported their own allies and worked to maintain global balance of power to counter Soviet influence.
5. Space Race: The Cold War also spurred technological competition, with the United States and the Soviet Union involved in a intense race to achieve milestones in space exploration. The space race became a symbol of scientific and technological prowess, closely intertwined with national pride.
6. Civil Defense: Americans practiced civil defense measures to prepare for the possibility of nuclear attacks or other disruptions caused by the Cold War. This included the construction of bomb shelters and public drills.
7. Cultural and ideological struggle: The Cold War extended beyond international politics to include a cultural and ideological battle. American embraced the notion of "American exceptionalism," presenting their nation as a beacon of freedom and democracy in contrast to Soviet communism.
Despite the overarching tensions, there were still efforts at finding diplomatic and peaceful solutions. Détente was a prominent aspect of the latter part of the Cold War, aiming to cool tense relations through talks and limited cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union.