Just in case of atomic attack … Be prepared!
The day-life in the US during the Cold War
Overview
In the years following World War II, the United States enjoyed a nuclear monopoly. However, in the late 1940s, the Soviet Union also developed nuclear weapons, and a long arms race ensued. As each side built more and deadlier weapons, the United States government found itself trying to assure citizens that a nuclear war was not only winnable, but survivable.
Thousands of Americans built fallout shelters, thinking that going underground would protect them, and schoolchildren were required to participate in drills to “sharpen” their skills in “ducking and covering” when the bombs fell.
Duck and Cover
by Federal Civil Defense Administration (1951)
Duck and Cover was a social guidance film produced in 1951 by the United States federal government’s Civil Defense branch shortly after the Soviet Union began nuclear testing. Written by Raymond J. Mauer and directed by Anthony Rizzo of ArcherProductions and made with the help of schoolchildren from New York City and Astoria, New York, it was shown in schools as the cornerstone of the government’s “duck and cover” public awareness campaign. The movie states that nuclear war could happen at any time without warning, and U.S. citizens should keep this constantly in mind and be ever ready
Activity: download the worksheet and complete the crossword
Does the movie represent an aspect of the real day-life during the Cold War?
Many baby boomers like Alex Martin remember duck and cover drills in their schools.
JFK’s special counsel, Ted Sorensen, also remembers duck and cover drills, but admits that even fallout shelters probably wouldn’t have done much good.
Listen to the witnesses’ interviews:
Final assignment
Referring to interviews, write a report (300 words) about the children’s day-life during the Cold War. Did they feel safe? Why? What threatened them? What did the families and the Administration do against the fear? Were these preventative measures effective?