Final answer:
The Cold War led the U.S. government to combat segregation to boost its global image but also created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion leading to McCarthyism and the suppression of civil liberties. This affected foreign policy and domestic freedom of expression and escalated concerns about global security due to military technology advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Effects of the Cold War on American Citizens
The Cold War extensively influenced American society and culture in several ways. It spurred the federal government to take action against segregation to improve America's international image. However, it also created an environment of suspicion toward dissident groups, including civil rights leaders, who were often accused of disloyalty. This period saw the rise of McCarthyism, where fear of Communist influence led to widespread investigations and loyalty oaths, affecting millions of Americans across various professions. The activism within labor unions declined, and a culture of fear permeated American life, affecting foreign policy and domestic freedom of expression. The irony of this era was that the military technologies developed to secure America's position as a global superpower also magnified concerns about global security.