Effects of the war on People
During the Cold War, US citizens experienced a change in their everyday lives. Changes ranged from fallout drills at schools to suspicion of everyone around them, here are just a few of the many life changes American citizens experienced:
Energy Shortages
During the 1970s, the United States experienced two severe shortages of gasoline and other fuels caused indirectly by the Cold war conflict. The two shortages occurred in 1971 and 1979, and were caused respectively by a middle-eastern multi-national oil embargo and the Iranian revolution, both smaller conflicts originated from Capitalism and Communism facing off in the world's smaller nations. In each shortage, gas prices skyrocketed and consumers were forbidden from buying more than a few gallons of gasoline per stop, as seen in the picture. There were also frequently long lines of cars waiting to buy gas, sometimes over a mile long. These shortages profoundly affected American productivity and took lots of time away from people.
"Duck and Cover" drills
The coming of the nuclear age brought about many safety precautions that were taught to the general public. Among these was the "Duck and Cover" drill taught to children and teenagers in school during the early days of the Cold War conflict. The threat of nuclear fallout prompted the government to teach safety drills to the common people. Children were taught to get into the nearest safe place, like under a table or desk, if the bomb went off or a warning alarm sounded. The government produced a few educational videos that were showed in classrooms throughout the nation teaching kids how to react if and when nuclear fallout came
"Bert the Turtle" fallout safety video:
http://www.wimp.com/duckcover/
"Bert the Turtle" fallout safety video:
http://www.wimp.com/duckcover/
The Space Race
Apollo 11 launch on July 16, 1969
As the Cold War progressed, the two superpowers sought new ways to prove themselves the best. Both nations began space programs, NASA for the United States and the "Soviet Space Program" for the Russians. Although both sides made many accomplishments, the ultimate goal of the space race was to see which side could put a man on the moon first. The space race took enormous amounts of money from each superpower, and in 1969 the United States won the race. Apollo 11, powered by a huge Saturn V rocket, landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon on July 20. Since that day, a total of 13 people have stepped foot on the moon.
Video of Apollo 11 launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGNryrsT7OI
Video of Apollo 11 launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGNryrsT7OI