The Cold War era fundamentally shaped American domestic and foreign policy, marked by intense anti-communist sentiment and significant policy shifts. The period witnessed two major Red Scares and evolving strategies in dealing with communist threats.
Key points:
- The Cold War impact on US immigration policies was evident through restrictive measures like the Palmer Raids and Immigration Quota Acts
- US foreign policy during the Second Red Scare shifted from containment to more aggressive approaches
- The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and Vietnam War escalation represented a crucial turning point in American military involvement
- Evolution of foreign policy strategies from Massive Retaliation to Flexible Response
- Rise of conservative movement and Reagan's aggressive anti-Soviet stance