The Cold War started in the year 1945 and ended in the year 1990. This war was characterized by military and political enmity between the US and the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Nazi government, in the year 1945, the US and the Soviet Union became the world superpowers.
The Cold War initiated several changes in the American society during and after the war. These changes were enhanced by the differences in democratic values between the US and the Soviet Union. During the early 1990s, the Cold War had greatly influenced America’s domestic and foreign policies.
Before the Cold War, the US government was not involved in foreign affairs. For instance, during the leadership of President Gorge Washington, the American government did not participate in foreign affairs and alliances. During the year 1935, Neutrality Act was enacted.
Through this act, the US Government was forbidden from participating in foreign wars and affairs. Equally, during the World War II, the US government never got involved in foreign affairs. However, after the fall of the Nazi government in Germany, the US perspective on foreign policies and affairs changed.
After the year 1945, the US considered the Soviet Union as a threat to its security. Notably, the communist expansion and Russia’s advancements in weaponry forced the American government to be involved in foreign affairs.
As witnessed from various government administrations during the Cold War, the US foreign policies and domestic policies were changed constantly to thwart the spread of communisms, and to stop Soviet Union from attacking America and its allies. For instance, Three months into office president Dwight D. Eisenhower conveyed a meeting in the Solarium house at the White House.
At the meeting, the president met with three different teams to deliberate on appropriate foreign policies required to secure the country’s security systems. At the end of the meeting, the president agreed to change the country’s foreign policies. Through these changes, the US had to help its allies resist the spread of communisms. As a result, the adopted policies enabled the American government to help its allies with military resources. By doing so, the US strengthens its allies’ abilities to resist communism.
In the year 1961, Kennedy’s administration had to change the country’s foreign policies through the adoption of diplomatic and military initiatives. Unlike before, Kennedy formed and deployed new intelligent foreign experts in various countries to tackle the emerging diplomatic challenges. In support with Eisenhower’s strategies, Kennedy preferred diplomacy to violence in tackling conflicts with the Soviet Union.
With regard to domestic policy, the Cold War had several impacts on the American society. Notably, the American security agencies influenced the Hollywood producers to create more anticommunist films with the aim of reinforcing negative attitudes about the communists in American societies.
Out of these initiatives, patriotism was enhanced leading to increased mistrust in communist actions across the US. During this period, communist proponents were wrongfully accused, fired from their jobs, and their human and civil rights abused.
During the war, the US government realized the need to abolish racial discrimination and other forms of social discrimination in the country. This move was fueled by the need to enhance the country’s international image as a reformed nation. Through these reforms, several social injustices in America were abolished leading to the long awaited changes in domestic policies.