Examine the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on the US during Truman’s presidency.

The question requires that candidates consider an argument in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the social and cultural impact in the US resulting from the Cold War during the Truman administration. Consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social and cultural impact, or they may prioritize their assessment of either. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the psychological impact of events, such as the Rosenberg case and the accusations of McCarthy. The impact of the Cold War on Hollywood and the mass media might be explored due to the emphasis on anti-Communist themes. Support for the civil rights movement to avoid claims of hypocrisy may also be advanced.

The question required candidates to consider an argument in a way that uncovered the assumptions and interrelationships of the social and cultural impact in the US resulting from the Cold War during the Truman administration. The question was a popular choice, but, unfortunately, was often misunderstood. Many candidates focused on foreign policy events and decisions of the Truman administration, rather than on how the Cold War impacted US social and cultural life. For those who concentrated on US domestic affairs, there was difficulty in differentiating between social and cultural matters.