A Golden Age

A Golden Age

While the 1950’s for United States was a time when Americans were struggling against communism and worrying about a nuclear attack, this anxiety fell short of the fantastic breakthroughs in science and technology and the booming economic growth American experienced in this time. This time period was more of a golden age than an age of anxiety.

Even before the Cold War, there were tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. And when the Soviet’s tested an atomic bomb in 1949, it was heard around the world. When Joe McCarthy, a senator from Wisconsin, fearlessly assaulted government establishments of possibly advocating communist notions, this created considerable anxiety among Americans. But this anxiety that was felt about communism and the fears that citizens had of a nuclear attack happening at any moment encouraged Americans to feel better of their own society.

In the 1950’s, American society experienced astounding economic growth which made the growth in the 1920’s pale in comparison. Also, new technologies and breakthrough medical treatments were invented that revolutionized how people lived and saved many lives. In 1957, there were millions of television sets in use. In 1954, Jonas Salk introduced an effective