Discuss the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on the Americas up to 1953.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on the Americas up to 1953. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social and cultural impact, or they may prioritize their discussion. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Social and cultural impact will be dependent upon the country chosen, but it must be related to the Cold War and during the time frame. Candidates may refer to a determination to stop communism and a fear of communist infiltration. For the US, this resulted in loyalty oaths, McCarthyism and a focus on the evils of communism in all forms of media. Movies and television glorified the US and stressed the benefits of democracy and capitalism. The Cold War also fostered the military-industrial complex and the growing fear of a nuclear war. In Canada, the Gouzenko Affair created similar results. Many Latin American countries ruled by US-supported dictators experienced severe repression aimed at eliminating communists, resulting in strong anti-American feeling and revolutionary activities. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on the Americas up to 1953. This was a very popular question. Nevertheless, responses strongly focused on the USA rather than on the Americas as a whole; not always did candidates deal with social and cultural impact (many only addressed political and/or economic impact); several responses included knowledge beyond 1953.