During all periods of history, America has created propaganda targeted for different people and events. Almost directly after the World War II propaganda ended, Cold War propaganda started. This was mostly propaganda against the Soviet Union. Thus started the period we refer to as The Red Scare, when mass hysteria over communism reigned. The government’s encouragement of this hysteria took form in movies, books, comics, and was even taught in school.
Propaganda is notorious for being influential in a negative way. It is characteristic for bombarding the population with information (almost always exaggerated or even falsified), in order to invoke a favorable reaction from the people. During the Cold War, both America and the Soviet Union used propaganda in order to ensure that their populations would hate the enemy and support the government. It is important to realize that the two countries relayed their propaganda through different mediums; America often used Hollywood and media, while the Soviet Union preferred showing off its military strength in order to impress.
One of the results of a massive anti-Communism propaganda spree in America was the persecution of many workers in government and Hollywood. Senator Joe McCarthy was responsible for pulling out many of the secret Soviet agents that were actually hiding in the American woodworking-but he also ruined many innocent people’s lives. Some scriptwriters in Hollywood were unable to find work again as they were blacklisted because of Senator McCarthy. In fact, when one speaks of “McCarthyism,” it means that you are charging a person “with an unwarranted political smear.” (Bergen.org)
While Senator McCarthy arguably did do some good-whether or not he did it the right way is up for individual debate-he actually hurt his own campaign by being so radical. “Genuine Soviet spies portrayed themselves as victims of McCarthyism,” and were therefore able to garner some sympathy as people started to view McCarthy as ridiculous. (Bergen.org)
A new electronic treat on the market was the television. It was black-and-white, and cost a fortune, but many people bought one regardless. This was a new day for propaganda, because it now had a new way to speak to the people. Commercials for products, while showing American consumers as perfect, helped hammer in the idea that the United States could do no wrong. Television shows featuring American cowboys defeating Native Americans also supported the idea that white Americans were superior, and would therefore win any war that may happen with the Soviet Union.
One of the staples of media in America at that time was the radio. While not everybody could afford a television, virtually everybody had a radio. It symbolized family-time, since families would gather together next to it to hear the news, or sit around it after dinner to listen to their favorite radio programs. It is said that the radio was the center of the room, and people took special care to keep it dusted and place photos of loved ones on it. This was ultimately a huge way to reach the masses. The United States government worked very hard to create the perfect broadcasts. They also poured in a lot of money to reach other countries. We see now that in 1948, they gave “approximately $10,000,000 to the Voice of America,” which was broadcasted in the Philippines as well as parts of Japan and Germany. (piedmontcommunities) Radio stations that we still know of, such as Voice of America, were known as spreaders of “`black` propaganda.” (piedmontcommunities)
People of all ages went to movie theaters to escape from the stressors of daily life. There, propaganda was especially strong, especially after Senator McCarthy’s reign started. Films, rather than being light-hearted, suddenly took on a more sinister idea; the Communists were going to take over, unless patriotic Americans stood up for themselves and got rid of Communism once and for all. A movie typically featured a handsome American with good values, perhaps even an attractive American family. This would equal the ideal. The ideal would then be threatened somehow; generally, by something Soviet or Communist or possibly both. It would take dedication to traditional values in order to defeat the evil, but goodness would always prevail. Some movies were devoted to explaining Communism-naturally, in a poor light. The government poured a lot of money into funding these movies, preferring movies that “dramatized the Communist threat.” (piedmontcommunities) Some classics of the time are “Red Nightmare,” which is known today as “The Commies Are Coming!” Another is “Invasion, USA!” These are now considered comedy and even kitsch, but at the time these were very important to the people. In fact, they were even taught in schools as part of curriculum. Red Nightmare” as taught as part of the “standard curriculum in civics and history.” (piedmontcommunities) Other anti-Soviet movies, such as the James Bond series, are still enjoyed to date.
Literature was a cheap way for many people to consume propaganda. Paperback novels, so-called non-fiction books, and comics were all used as methods of implanting doctrine. Paperbacks about fictional heroes defeating anti-American (or Communist) threats were big hits, and usually sold very cheaply. These books usually focused around a cowboy or a soldier who had to go up against something terrible but always saved the day. The books would sometimes circle around an ordinary citizen who was doing his American duties, and these were also big hits. The non-fiction books were in-fact very fictional, or at least extremely biased. They were almost always about Communism and why it was bad, how it was threatening America, and how Soviets were lurking around every corner just waiting to strike. Then, there were comics. There were naturally geared towards the children. Typically, a comic will have a hero and an action plot, anyway. These comics, however, took a twist-in comic “Is This Tomorrow,” Russians are shown “conquering and enslaving America.” (piedmontcommunities) Naturally, this, coupled with Boy Scouts having to learn to dive into fallout shelters every week, was very stressful.
Once hysteria set in, people accused each other and questioned who they could trust. People even questioned who was capable for their jobs. In an article titled “Communists Should Not Teach in American Colleges,” written by the president of Washington, Seattle University, Raymond Allen, he explains why Communists are not qualified to teach at the secondary level. He rationalizes that since Communists are not free to think on their own, they are not free enough to teach without bias. He concludes that they are “incompetent” since “Communism is an enemy of American education.” (Allen) Many people took this stance, which helped push many people out of their jobs. This happened all across the board; people of all backgrounds would be accused of Communism and shunned.
As I said earlier, Soviets were not immune from propaganda. They did have radio, and they also had literature and films. Soviet propaganda officials depended on showing off sheer military strength, however. By having huge military parades often, and playing military marches constantly, they were able to remind their population that they had a very successful and modern army that would be willing and ready to crush any (American) threat. Radio broadcasts were also used heavily, with Stalin speaking strongly against Western interests and encouraging Soviets to live as good Communists. Citizens were reminded often about American atrocities-such as overspending, indulging in food, and not living in poverty. Americans were portrayed as racist, sexist, and cold towards the rest of the world. They were also portrayed as dangerous, waving weapons around as though they were toys. Stalin reasoned that Americans were ignorant and slothful, and that America would crumble under itself. Stalin’s propaganda tactics were actually a lot more direct than America’s, yet they were about equally as successful.
As we know, propaganda is still used today. People think that they are better at realizing it, and perhaps they are; or maybe it is just that hindsight is 20/20. We are all being influenced in some way. Whether it is politically, for war purposes, or for consumerism, there is a constantly onslaught of propaganda. It is hard to say whether or not this propaganda level can be compared to that of when hysteria from the Cold War was present, but it is here nonetheless. We will always remember the Cold War as a time when no weapons were fired, and it was simply a war of words and setting populations against each other.
