Study Notes on Cold War, Eisenhower's Presidency, and Civil Rights Movement

Introduction

  • The session was structured differently due to time constraints and required adaptations.
  • Emphasis on an important topic to be covered despite the shifts in the usual format.

Assignment

  • Eisenhower's Farewell Address: Class is instructed to watch Eisenhower’s farewell address linked in the PowerPoint.
  • Post-Viewing Questions:
    • Is Eisenhower's war warning still relevant today? Why or why not?
    • How can citizens remain informed and vigilant in a modern democracy?
    • What are the pros and cons of a strong military presence?
  • These questions are crucial in understanding Eisenhower's message, especially in the context of the end of the Cold War.

General Class Updates

  • Discussion of multiple obligations:
    • World War II reenactor events occurring next week. Details will follow later.
    • Emphasis on working on the final project due soon.
    • Reading assignment for Wednesday: "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Dr. King, available on Brightspace for necessary completion by the deadline.

Attendance

  • Instructor takes attendance, calling out student names.

Discussion of Cold War Fears

  • The session continues from previous discussions regarding Cold War fears specifically:
    • Fear of communism dominating the US.
    • Fear regarding nuclear weapons amidst the nuclear age.
  • Nuclear Weapons Anxiety:
    • The intense arms race to create more powerful nuclear weapons led to widespread fear that the Soviets could attack the US.
    • Concern about the potential for mutually assured destruction if nuclear warfare occurred.

Government Response to Nuclear Fear

  • The government initiated campaigns to soothe fears, such as:
    • Schools conducting drills, teaching “duck and cover” techniques through films for safety training.
  • Duck and Cover Film:
    • Character Bert the Turtle embodies response tactics for children during a nuclear attack, demonstrating how to react (ducking to the ground, covering oneself).
    • Instruction on what happens during a nuclear explosion (bright flash, potential destruction, and injuries) and emphasizing preparedness through practice drills.
    • The ineffectiveness of such drills contrasted with real dangers but serves a psychological purpose to reduce panic.

Religious Revival During the Cold War

  • A rise in religiosity occurred due to the perception of communism as atheistic and godless.
  • Government and cultural responses included:
    • Inclusion of phrases such as "In God We Trust" on currency and "One Nation Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
    • Eisenhower’s initiatives like national prayer breakfasts and days of prayer.
    • Rise of televangelism, exemplified by figures like Billy Graham, who gained prominence during the Cold War era.

Hollywood’s Response

  • In 1956, Paramount Pictures released The Ten Commandments, promoting religious themes:
    • Gave away monuments with the Ten Commandments to courthouses as part of a broader strategy to counteract communist ideology and as a marketing tactic for the film.

Foreign Policy and the Overthrow of Governments

  • Discussion of historical instances where the United States overthrew democratically elected governments to combat perceived threats from communism, beginning with:
    • Guatemala: Under the Eisenhower administration, an operation named Operation PB Success aimed to remove Jacobo Arbenz from presidency due to his connections with communists.
  • Description of Operation PB Success:
    • Psychological warfare tactics were implemented to undermine Arbenz’s government through propaganda (leaflets, broadcasts) to sway public opinion.
    • Recruitment and training of Castillo Armas and his followers to initiate a coup against Arbenz.
    • Initial failures in military efforts but psychological campaign led to eventual success in removing Arbenz, showcasing the controversial US foreign policy approach.
  • The consequences of the operation resulted in instability, as control over the new military regime slipped away shortly after.

Nostalgia Trap of the 1950s

  • The notion of the 1950s as an idyllic era contrasts with the underlying civil unrest and challenges:
    • Common portrayal of family life (suburbs, white picket fences) is significantly idealized and does not reflect most Americans' experiences during the time, many of whom lived in poverty.

Transition to the Civil Rights Movement

  • The end of Eisenhower's presidency aligns with significant developments in the civil rights movement:
    • Recognition of key figures in the civil rights movement such as Dr. King, Ruby Bridges, John Lewis, etc., highlighting grassroots involvement and the collective action of ordinary people rather than solely focusing on prominent leaders.
  • The civil rights movement is set to be discussed further as a historical continuum, with roots traceable to abolitionist movements and reflecting broader societal changes beyond just the years 1955 to 1970.