Most Americans enjoyed a rapidly expanding middle class, low unemployment, growing home ownership, a plentiful food supply, increased access to higher education, and a ready supply of quality, affordable consumer goods.
Americans also enjoyed the fruits of freedom
- They could worship as they chose.
- They could learn about what was happening in their communities, states, nation, and the world from thousands of privately owned newspapers and magazines.
- They could join any political party they liked and elect their own leaders in free elections.
- They could travel freely around the country and throughout most of the world.
- And they could act to create a "more perfect union," by advocating for civil rights, women's rights, and greater opportunity for all Americans to achieve the American Dream.
The contrast between life in the United States and life in the Soviet Union and the nations behind the Iron Curtain could hardly have been starker.
Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations.- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961
Iconic American artist Norman Rockwell painted the Four Freedoms series, based upon President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address highlighting the values and privileges fundamental to American life.
- Freedom from Want
- Freedom of Worship
- Freedom from Fear
- Freedom of Speech
- A limited-edition set of Norman Rockwell Spirit of Scouting medals representing the Boy Scout Law.
12 Rules for Boy Scout Conduct
- Trustworthy
- Loyal
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Courteous
- Kind
- Obedient
- Cheerful
- Thrifty
- Brave
- Clean
- Reverent
- Personalized Scout Handbook for President Richard Nixon
During the Cold War, propaganda in both the Soviet Union and the United States promoted support for each nation's political, economic, and social systems.
In the United States, propaganda was not only produced by the government but also by movie studios, television networks, radio stations, and newspapers and magazines also promoted the virtues of "The American Way" and warned about communism taking hold in the United States.
American propaganda tended to focus on the benefits of living in a free country, where the "unalienable rights" of the individual are protected and the free-market system provides a higher standard of living.
- C.R. Miller, Think American Institute
- 1951 Common Cause Inc. American Citizen Organization to Combat Communism and Defend Freedom
- A lert yourself-- learn the true nature and tactics of communism.
- M ake civic programs for social improvement your business.
- E xercise your right to vote; elect representatives of integrity.
- R espect human dignity -- communism and individual rights cannot coexist.
- I nform yourself; know your country--its history, traditions, and heritage.
- C ombat public apathy toward communism--indifference can be fatal when national survival is at stake.
- A ttack bigotry and prejudice wherever they appear; justice for all is the bulwark of democracy.
J. Edgar Hoover
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Patriotism is Everybody's Job
Department of Justice 1959
- 1963 Paperback book by Dr. W.S. McBirnie.
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- This is my symbol, Old Glory and Uncle Sam
During the period of the Cold War, America experienced a time of unprecedented economic prosperity, international influence, and prestige.