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Home > Conflict and War > Cold War Culture: The Nuclear Fear of the 1950s and 1960s


Cold War Culture: The Nuclear Fear of the 1950s and 1960s

With superpowers in the east and west testing powerful new weapons, the Canadian race for self-preservation took off in the early 1950s. The rising of the Iron Curtain intensified the threat of mass destruction, as communication between the Americans and Soviets came to a screeching halt. In this volatile new world, Canadians fretted about fallout shelters and the government prepared to go underground.


Educational
Educational activities about
Cold War Culture: The Nuclear Fear of the 1950s and 1960s

 
From Einstein to the A-bomb: Early Milestones

 
Calgary evacuates: Operation Lifesaver

 
Bomb shelters for sale

 From Einstein to the A-bomb: Early Milestones

The air raid sirens hum loudly, shelters are erected, and the general public is busy learning the art of "duck and cover." (TV; runs 7:27)

 Calgary evacuates: Operation Lifesaver

At 10:50 a.m., Calgary's mayor throws the switch to evacuate the city. Preparation and planning is the key to survival. (TV; runs 10:15)

 Bomb shelters for sale

Wanna buy a bomb shelter? People start shopping for their own personal refuges. (Radio; runs 4:57)

 
Civil Defence College

 
How to survive: Life in a fallout shelter

 
The Cuban Missile Crisis

 Civil Defence College

Canadian teenagers learn the ABCs of survival. (TV; runs 1:20)

 How to survive: Life in a fallout shelter

The McCallum family experience life in a fallout shelter. (TV; runs 9:03)

 The Cuban Missile Crisis

The nuclear crisis reaches its peak when it is reported that interballistic missiles are poised to hit North America from a Cuban launching pad. (TV; runs 3:41)

 
'Nuclear warfare can be fun'

 
Tocsin B – This is not an emergency

 
'The only choice today is peace.'

 'Nuclear warfare can be fun'

Hide under your kitchen chair, pull the covers over your head - Max Ferguson has some fun ideas for coping with the nuclear threat. (Radio; runs 14:05)

 Tocsin B – This is not an emergency

The Emergency Measures Organization tests its cross-Canada evacuation plan. (Radio; runs 12:50)

 'The only choice today is peace.'

Columnist Ron Haggart takes issue with the government's approach to nuclear warfare. (Radio; runs 8:32)

 
Reporting live from the Diefenbunker…

 
Opening up the Diefenbunker

 
 Reporting live from the Diefenbunker…

A CBC News announcer recalls a very strange assignment in a very unique place. (Radio; runs 14:26)

 Opening up the Diefenbunker

No longer a top-secret hideaway, the Diefenbunker doors swing open. (TV; runs 4:36)

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1960s a GoGo
For more groovy 60s clips, visit the topic "1960s a GoGo"

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