Final answer:
In 1964, the United States was opposed to Communism, influenced by the Cold War climate that demanded aggressive containment policies, from military actions in Vietnam to economic support in Europe. However, skepticism was growing about the monolithic perception of the Communist threat and the U.S. approach to containing it.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1964, the mood of the United States towards Communism was one of suspicion and opposition. The U.S. was deeply entrenched in the Cold War, opposing Communist influence globally following a history of tension exemplified by events such as the victory of Communist forces in China, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Fear of Communism was pervasive in the domestic and foreign policies of the U.S. Attempts to contain it varied, from military intervention, as seen in Vietnam, to economic and democratic support in Western Europe. Despite some skepticism over the extent of the threat, the Cold War climate created a situation where political leaders could ill afford to appear 'soft' on Communism.
This political stance was reflected in actions like the support of undemocratic anti-Communist regimes worldwide, while simultaneously investing in the reconstruction of Western European democracies such as West Germany. The increasing military involvement in Vietnam under President Lyndon Johnson and the perception of the U.S. as the global bastion against Communism further solidified the anti-Communist sentiment during this time.
However, by 1968 resentment and doubt about this single-minded approach were growing. Knowledge about the rift between the USSR and China, and the questioning of the necessity and morality of the Vietnam War indicated that the American public's attitude towards the fight against Communism was becoming more nuanced and critical.