Mccarthyism During The Cold War - 1925 Words

Since the late 1940s, American cinema has been obsessed with the idea of the atomic bomb and what it stands for; whether that be destruction or absolute power depends on the film. This symbolism would then come to define the 1950s, and later on American cinema as well. This symbolism then must be addressed from the lenses of, both, history and socio-political commentary. Then the question must be posed why specifically these two lenses? The answer to this question, then, lies in the films of the 50s, and beyond. Whether this answer lies in the apocalyptic imagination present in the films or the politics of the time, McCarthyism would influence American culture far beyond the 50s, depends on the historian who is asked. The answer, then,†¦show more content†¦Each of these wishes, then, points back to what scholars of the time period know all too well, the governments need for a justification of atomic research. This justification came primarily from the second wish granted by the gene, the wish for â€Å"a source of beneficial rays,† in which the genie grants humanity the powers of atomic medicine and atomic agriculture. The primary way atomic medicine and agriculture was used to justify atomic research was through experiments in which radioactive isotopes would be either directly injected into plants or, otherwise, put into the soil via fertilizer. These ventures into atomic agriculture and medicine were primarily fueled by organizations like the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and were used to justify a reason for atomic research that did not revolve around atomic weapons. This concern about the uses of atomic energy is further reflected in Eisenhower’s â€Å"Atom’s Peace† speech when he says, â€Å"Against the dark background of the atomic bomb, the United States does not wish merely to present strength, but also the desire and the hope for peace.† This quotation shows the need for peaceful applications of atomic energy. From here one can then look at the ideas of the nuclear test documentary. â€Å"The nuclear test documentary is a little-known subgenre of documentary activity. Most people are aware of these ï ¬ lms—ï ¬ nanced by the government in order to provide a lastingShow MoreRelatedTelevision Role in Preserving American Values During the Cold War1715 Words   |  7 Pages Television Role In Preserving American Values During The Cold War After World War II, technology was advancing and converting from military orientation to more consumer based companies. One of the new technology devices that were introduced to American consumers was television. American television in the 1940’s and 1950’s became a link marvel between Americans, podcasting news, shows, and movies. American television during the 1940’s and the 1950’s played a major rule in preservingRead MoreThe Cold War and Its Effect on The History of America Essay1706 Words   |  7 Pages The Cold War was the ideological conflict between the two superpowers of the world, the democratic United States of America and the communist Soviet Union. For over fifty years the two superpowers fought each other indirectly for power and control of the world. The Cold War started after the end of the Second World War in 1945 when the eyes of both superpowers were no longer looking at Nazi Germany, but instead at each other and the fate of the rest of the world. The Cold War began after the SecondRead MoreMcCarthyism and Documents of History1422 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the times of McCarthyism the House Committee on Un-American Activities employed barbaric and â€Å"Un-American† techniques that would characterize the American law system as an extinguisher of American civil liberties; during this exploration we will be examining a brief history of McCarthyism and a few documents from this time period. Initially, we will be traversing the history from pre-McCarthyism on in to the times of McCarthyism. Following, we will be evaluating three documents from the timesRead MoreThe Campaign Of Joseph Mccarthy1373 Words   |  6 Pagesin Wheeling, West Virginia, McCarthy proclaimed that he was aware of two hundred five card carrying members of the communist party who worked for the United States Department of State (â€Å"McCarthyism†). 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