America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Cold War consensus primarily presented the danger of heightened anti-communist sentiment, significantly shaping public opinion during this period. As the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated, the prevailing consensus was that communism posed a direct threat to democracy and capitalism. This led to a climate of fear and suspicion, where any association with or perceived sympathy for communist ideologies was met with intense scrutiny and sometimes outright hostility.

This environment resulted in the growth of McCarthyism in the United States, where accusations of communism could damage reputations and careers without substantial evidence. Public opinion became heavily influenced by the narrative that depicted communism as not just an ideological adversary but a tangible enemy that needed to be actively resisted. Consequently, this environment stifled dissent, created an atmosphere of paranoia, and encouraged policies that were often aggressive and militaristic, reflecting the fear that drove much of the period’s decision-making.

Understanding this context is crucial, as it illustrates how public opinion was manipulated during the Cold War, resulting in a consensus that often overwhelmed more moderate or peaceful perspectives in favor of a combative stance against perceived threats.