Answer:
America was united in some respects and deeply divided in others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cold War was more of a propaganda war than a military war. Americans were largely "one nation … indivisible" in their hatred of communism.
However, the threat of a nuclear war was ever-present, and this affected American culture through music, movies, books, and television.
Hollywood made anti-communist movies. Many cloak-and dagger movies used as backdrops the Cold War, espionage, and fictional nuclear and conventional war between the United States and the Soviet Union. These all helped spark American patriotism.
The Cold War initiated the Space Race. Americans groaned when the Russian satellite (Sputnik) went up. They rejoiced when an American landed on the Moon.
Competition in sports like hockey and the Olympics also served as a proxy for military engagement.
Despite the unified sentiment against communism, America as a deeply divided country. There were widespread protests about the Cold War and about civil rights.
Both Allies and the Kremlin criticized the United States for fighting oppression abroad while discriminating against millions of African-Americans at home. Pressure from both sides finally resulted in passage of the Civil Rights Act .
Many protest songs reflected fear of World War III, general sentiments against war and racism. Some examples were
- Barry McGuire, "Eve of Destruction" (Cold War protest)
- Plastic Ono Band, "Let's give peace a chance" (Vietnam war protest)
- Prince, "1999" (referring to nuclear annihilation)
- Nena, "99 Luftballons" (the release of 99 toy balloons triggers a nuclear war)
- Pete Seeger, "We shall overcome" (civil rights movement)