-
Introduction
The United States has undergone significant changes in its history, and there have been multiple events that have been critical in shaping the nation's public perception, such as the end of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement. These events, spanning from the mid1940s to the early 1960s, brought large shifts in how the American public viewed their country and its role in the world. -
Introduction Cont.
In the aftermath of World War II, the United States emerged as a global superpower, with the public perception of the nation altered by its large involvement on the rest of the world. After ending WWII, Americans felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, viewing their nation as a source of democracy, freedom, and pow4er. The sacrifices made during the war, both on the battlefield and the home front, created a strong sense of national unity and wholeness that the nation had not felt before. -
Introduction Cont.
Moreover, the newfound influence of American music, cinema, and fashion created a sense of modernity and innovation, further adding to the shared feeling of pride and individuality from the rest of the world. The public perception of the US immediately after World War II was one of happiness and unity and created a large sense of freedom and prosperity within the US. -
Introduction Cont.
Nonetheless, this view changed enormously over the next years. The Korean War was a turning point in the way people viewed things as they moved away from post-World War II era bliss. It initially looked like a necessary intervention to contain communism, but as it dragged on, it created public hatred. The inconclusive outcome of the war with high casualty rates increased distain among Americans about their government and whether America had any role to play in global affairs for that matter. -
Introduction Cont.
Similarly, the Vietnam War which lasted through the sixties continued to destroy public trust in the United States’ government and its military involvement abroad. This resulted in various anti-war protests across the United States triggered by media images and news of the brutality of war and suffering. Soon after, Vietnam became one of the most divisive issues in American history. -
Introduction Cont.
During both of these military and international issues, the Civil Rights Movement was also emerging as a unignorable moment in the US. While simultaneously altering public perception of the United States and the other countries watching it, the racial discrimination and segregation faced by African Americans was becoming more widespread and unaccepted. -
Introduction Cont.
The Civil Rights Movement challenged the nation to confront the racism and inequality within itself. This struggle for equality quickly gained popularity, and even though it would not be felt for years to come, the changes made by the US public during these times was crucial for the development for the country and its future. -
WWII Parade
View of Peachtree Street a parade to celebrate the end of World War II in Atlanta, Georgia.
DPLA. "Photograph, Soldiers in parade, end of World War II, 1945." Accessed April 10, 2024. https://dp.la/item/652fb3ec4f881027fea4b15cb7ccc3fe?q=end+of+world+war+II -
Period: to
Unity and Prosperity Cont.
Stopping the spread of communism and helping the world by playing their part as a world superpower brought pride to the American people as they had helped the rest of the world and were responsible for the newfound peace. This was all celebrated with the return of soldiers and the military, as presented by the large parade with many people in attendance. Overall, the end of WWII brought many good things to the American people and their perception of the United States as a whole. -
Period: to
Unity and Prosperity
Immediately following the end of WWII, the US population felt a mixture of many feelings, including pride, unity, and uncertainty. Having sacrificed lots for their country, the people felt overwhelming joy and unity having brought the war to an end and coming out victorious. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long as international tensions soon began to rise. -
Period: to
Unity and Prosperity Cont.
The US had been transitioning from wartime back to peace, but this was interrupted by the emerging Cold War, and soon to be Korean War. America’s peace brought economic and industrial prosperity, showing signs of large growth and increased happiness following the war. Unity was at an all-time high as everyone had equally worked hard at creating a promising and more comfortable future for themselves and their nation. -
Period: to
Meaningless War Cont.
This view quickly changed however, as the conflict grew and extended over a larger period, the public began to lose faith and as resources dwindled the public began to ask why their military was involved in Korea if they could not bring swift victory against North Korea. With casualties growing and a stalemate in the works the public perception quickly grew sour, questioning morality as lives were being lost over an unwinnable conflict. -
Period: to
Meaningless War Cont.
While the stalemate was not ideal, it still backed back with patriotism and support coming off their glorious victory during WWII and the economic success that followed. The Korean War was not ideal and laid the groundwork for future questions to be asked by the public as the government moved forward onto Vietnam and the public began asking more and more questions about what their government was really doing. -
Period: to
Meaningless War
The Korean war brought many hardships onto the US as they had just finished the war with Germany and were not prepared to fight an extended conflict in Korea. The public backed up the war at first as they found the fight against communism to be one of importance and rather than fight the government, they supported them. -
Korean War Armistice
Letter from President Eisenhower addressing how the United States will act following the armistice with Korea.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home. "Department of State - Briefing Papers: Post-Armistice Policy (Volume II) January 5, 1954." Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/korean-war/post-armistice-policy-1954-01-05.pdf -
Period: to
Cultural Revolution
The Civil Rights Movement was a longer, more internalized conflict that the US and its population struggled with during this time period. The common struggle for equality and justice was enough to unite the country again but it took the cooperation of everyone within the US, resulting in a long struggle that was very taxing on the people of the US. -
Period: to
Cultural Revolution Cont.
Marches, protests, resistances, attacks, bombings, and violence left the US bleeding internally and thus unable to focus its resources anywhere else but towards itself. Leaders and groups gaining attention and followers brought the Civil Rights Movements into full swing and eventually brought the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into reality and thus solving the issue that had plagued the US population for so long. -
Period: to
Cultural Revolution Cont.
The Civil Rights Movement, while not totally violence driven like the wars going on at the same time, had its share of struggles and damage done to the perception of the US. This would change with time as the new laws put into place would slowly heal the wounds of the population affected and bring the US back onto its feet to tackle other problems knocking at the door such as the Vietnam War. -
Period: to
Distrust
During the Vietnam War, the US public perception underwent an enormous shift. The people began to turn against supporting the efforts in Vietnam as casualties grew and economic costs began tot take toll. Other factors such as media influence played a role, spreading photos and news from the war front began to turn public support away from the war as news of chemical agents were being used and the questionable tactics being deployed. -
Period: to
Distrust Cont.
The credibility of the US government was dwindling, and the war became increasingly divisive, causing more protests to develop and anti-war movements to form. What was originally thought of as further pushes to stomp out the remaining communist governments and help spread democracy and freedom, was quickly turned into something much worse as public views turned negative and the people no longer supported the efforts being made overseas. -
Period: to
Distrust Cont.
The public thought it wasteful to be involved with foreign conflicts while dealing with internal ones at the same time. The US public felt betrayed by their government that had led them to prosperity only a few years ago. The Vietnam War was a major turning point in public perception as protests and anti-war movements began to form and US government lost almost all support. -
Vietnam War Protest
Activists were harassed and abused during a march to protest the Vietnam War.
Luce, Clare Boothe, and 10. "From NBC Television, 30th October 1960." In Black Thought and Culture, edited by Alexander Street. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://search-alexanderstreet-com.utk.idm.oclc.org/view/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cbibliographic_details%7C4671393 -
Interview With James Baldwin
An interview with activist and civil rights leader James Baldwin on his thoughts about the current situation.
aldwin, James. "Interview with Kenneth Clark (Part 1 of 2)." Interview by Kenneth Clark. Who Speaks for the Negro?, edited by Robert Penn Warren. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://whospeaks.library.vanderbilt.edu/sites/default/files/Pg.%2019-36%20Reel%201Transcript%20of%20Baldwin%20Intv.pdf -
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United States went through large changes from the end of WWII to the end of the Cultural Revolution. The US public population changed in many unexpected ways and dealt with many difficult issues but ultimately emerged as a more wise and experienced group.