his discussion addresses the following outcomes:Explain the ideological and political origins of the Cold War, and the emergence of the containment policy (CO#3) Examine and explain Americans’ reac

his discussion addresses the following outcomes:

• Explain the ideological and political origins of the Cold War, and the emergence of the containment policy (CO#3)
• Examine and explain Americans’ reactions to perceived internal and external communist threats during the early Cold War (CO#1, CO#3)

The world looked very different at the end of World War Two than before it. While the former European empires focused on rebuilding from the destruction of the war, a new economic and military powerhouse, the United States, reigned supreme. But the US faced a challenge to its global superpower status from the Soviet Union. For the United States, the spread of communism in Eastern Europe and across the world was antithetical to its democratic values. But the Cold War did not simply take place in foreign affairs, anxieties and fears about communism permeated domestic politics as well.

Before you beginning this discussion, be sure to read the Module Notes, Chapter 25: “The Cold War (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.” in The American Yawp. In addition, read the primary source documents: Truman Doctrine (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,  Marshall Plan (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., “Enemies from Within (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,” “They Want to Muzzle the Truth (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,” “Sometime Soon…The Free Nations Must Make Their Choice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,” and “We Must Keep the Labor Unions Clean (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,” and view the videos: Atomic Alert (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video, 10:34 minutes], Duck and Cover (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video, 9:15 minutes], and We Must Not Confuse Dissent with Disloyalty (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video, 25:50 minutes].

Using the primary and secondary source materials above as evidence, consider the following in a post of at least 250 words:

• How did the early Cold War affect Americans’ perceptions of their country’s place in the world? How did this differ from the US’s role in the world during the 1930s and 1940s?
• Do you think the US response to the Soviet Union and the hunt for internal communist subversives were based upon real threats, or the product of unnecessary paranoia?