Communism and Popular Culture Essay - 1510 Words

TTP9 Pop Culture as History: The War Comes Home After World War II, the United States faced a malevolent philosophical dispute that had spread from within itself. Chapter nine in Thinking Through the Past is titled â€Å"Pop Culture as History: The War Comes Home† because it identifies America’s disposition over the subject of communism during the Cold War era. Historian Stephen J. Whitfield writes his secondary source entitled, â€Å"The Culture of the Cold War† which presents a detailed analysis pertaining to the lives of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum of anti-communism during the 1950s in United States. Questions arise that carry significance to cultural and social growth during the period: How was communism threatening the†¦show more content†¦According to Whitfield, America had begun to despise the principles of communism to such an extend that it, â€Å"Became more loathed than organized crime, exacerbating fears that were to distort and enfeeble American culture throughout the 1940s and 1950s...† (220). Writer Mickey Spillane was said to have been given a â€Å"license to print money† when added to a list of fictional writes that stood firm on his anti-Communist manner (223). Among the ten most published novels of the 1950s, he had written six of those ten. His best selling novel, I, The Jury sold over 3 million copies. It was about a young woman who had been politically persuaded by communists and a man who tried to change her political standpoint. The American majority held a solemn demeanor regarding communism which is evident in the sale of Spillane’s novels. Hollywood was visited by the HUAC in 1947 and greeted by the movie industry with the Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals. A faction that concluded, â€Å"Anyone who is not fighting Communism is helping Communism† (223). Whitfield concludes that the effect of all these things were, â€Å" The suffocation of liberty and the debasement of culture itself† (220). In his secondary source, Whitfield suggests that American culture was thwarted specifically by destruction of creativityShow MoreRelateddoc 11148 Words   |  5 Pagestime in history where there was hostility between many different countries. The one most notable was the hostility between the Soviet Union and United States, the fight between Communism and Capitalism. As the most dominant country the U.S. offered assistance to countries threatened by Communism. They felt that Communism was wrong and was not the right way to run a government. Between the years 1945 and 1980 the United States and Soviet Union’s relationship was ruined, which caused a lot of distrustRead MoreThe Cold War Era During World War II1349 Words   |  6 PagesWar II promoted the new dynamic of a suburban lifestyle, in part because of the increasing fright of looming communism during the Cold War Era. May coins the term â€Å"domestic containment† as the center of her argument in her book Homeward Bound. â€Å"Domestic containment† refers to the happy American suburban lifestyle home that was reinforced by popular culture because of the scare of communism. All of May’s other arguments in the book hinge on her larger focus on â€Å"domestic containment† being Americans’Read MoreSoviet Union And The Cold War Essay1484 Words   |  6 Pageswas deemed â€Å"cold’ because there was no direct fight between the two key countries. When World War II ended, there were only two super powers left and both had intentions of spreading their incompatible ideological system across the globe. Soviet’s Communism and the United States’ Capitalism were the different views that sparked the Cold War. Problems started when the USSR started its expansionism in Eastern Europe which went against the rules brought about in the Yalta Conference. Th e Yalta ConferenceRead MoreEssay about Humor as a Form of Cultural Expression1267 Words   |  6 PagesForm of Cultural Expression How can one look at a culture and understand its origins, its values, its accomplishments and failures? Through art, poetry, or other literary, or scientific advances? Maybe even in its political standpoints? All of these methods are acceptable. There is one I did not mention in the above list however. It can be considered trivial by some, but I think it is also important. Perhaps we can understand a culture by its humor. Even on the surface the jokes of a countryRead MoreMay Fourth Movement and Beyond1056 Words   |  5 Pagesthe idea of Communism exploded based on the leadership of Mao Zedong in 1949 which led to a variety of reforms. As a result, Zedong developed a new branch of Communism called Maoism. Still in the 21st century, China continues to strive to preserve its Communist ideals but has, in some ways, succumbed to Westernization. Although China continue to adhere to Maoist philosophies, the Communist Party of China has been allowing certain Western customs such as popular music into China’s culture. EssentiallyRead MoreHow Successful Was Lenins Attempt to Create an Alternative Modernity in Russia by 1929?830 Words   |  4 Pagestime of fear and doubt. Other successes to consider include the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’, the support for the Bolshevik Party and communism, uniting the workers of the world for revolution, the ability to spread communism, and the pa th to the ultimate stateless society. Section 2 The second section refers to the economic alternative that communism had to offer and assesses the success of the new method in following the socialist tradition. I will note how the new forms of economic controlRead MoreThe Social and Cultural Life of Americans during the Cold War1590 Words   |  7 Pagesnuclear war in the 1950s was real and was one that was on the mind nearly every person in both the United States and the United Kingdom. After the end of the Second World War the world can be seen to be split into two sides, the East and the West, Communism and Democracy. After the Second World War the Soviet Union became paranoid with the West as well as the United States become paranoid of the Communist East, and after the Soviets had made their first nuclear bomb this created massive friction betweenRead MoreHistory Course Outline787 Words   |  4 Pagesgovernment respond to the threat of communism after WWII? †¢ Why did Australia become involved in the Vietnam War? †¢ How did various groups respond to AustraliaÂ’s involvement in the Vietnam War? †¢ What was the impact of the war on Australia and/or neighbouring countries? Learn About; 1) AustraliaÂ’s response to the threat of communism in Asia after WWII including: Ââ€" Korean War Ââ€" ANZUS Treaty Ââ€" SEATO Alliance 2) The response to the threat of communism within Australia including: Ââ€" referendumRead MoreSpanish Civil War: The Struggle Between Fascism and Communism 1431 Words   |  6 Pagesthe various cultures and ideologies within Spain. One important example of an ideological clash was that of Communism versus Fascism. This clash was so important that, based on an analysis of the level of involvement of Fascist and Communist factions in said clash, one must concede that the conflict between Communism and Fascism was represented to a great degree by the Spanish Civil war. One very important pro-communist faction that fought in this Civil War was the Spanish Popular Front coalitionRead More Spanning Two Decade?s:The 50?s to the 60?s Essay1745 Words   |  7 Pagesdecade that Americas experienced in the 1950’s. It was age of dad’s always-right attitude and a culture that was family centered. The standard of living for American’s was the best in the world. The times just looked to perfect lives were lived to privately. This private enjoyment was centered on the family, leisure, and consumerism. Soon everyone tried to become to â€Å"Leave it to Beaver† type of family and culture exploded. The explosion is what everyone considers to be the 1960’s. Kids that grew up in