Introduction
Throughout the period under consideration, many events occurred that determined the essence of the American people. The period following World War II established a fragile peace. In this regard, a single concept that united Americans from 1945 to 1980 was patriotism and ideological upsurge. The Cold War era, the popularization of culture, and the Vietnam War were key events in shaping the answer to the question at hand.
The Cold War
The Cold War was a pivotal event that fueled societal tension due to fears of a potential new global conflict. This period affected Americans as the country began to actively “spend money on research in science, technology, and transportation infrastructure.” The question of what it means to be an American gained significance as the country began to develop all social spheres actively.
Pop Culture
The next significant piece of history was the development and spread of culture. Many musical groups began to appear in the country, such as Bill Haley and His Comets, and on television. In this regard, an accurate idea was formed in society about how Americans look and behave. It supported the ideology of freedom and the preservation of peace by reinforcing the importance of these themes.
The Vietnam War
The history of America during the period under study was marked by events that could shake the country’s values. The Vietnam War mandated separate rules to promote non-separation of families by not allowing two members of the same family to be called on a mission at the same time. Thus, being an American meant upholding family values and protecting them in all situations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, events in American history from 1945 to 1980 influenced how people answered the question of what it means to be an American. Many events have shaped the image of the American by influencing people through popular culture and unification during wars. Thus, people could answer the research question in that time period that an American is a person who defends their family and the values of the United States.
Bibliography
National Archives and Records Administration. 1969. Code of Federal Regulations: Policies Governing Assignments of Military Personnel to Duty in Vietnam, 32 C.F.R. Periodical.
Corbett, S., Janssen, V., Lund, J., Pfannestiel, T., Waskiewicz, S. & Vickery, P. 2022. U.S. History. Houston: OpenStax, 770.
CrashCourse. 2013. “The Cold War: Crash Course US History #37.” YouTube video, 10:38-10:43.