During the era of the Cold War, America had a singular world view. Democratic political institutions, Individual Freedoms, and Free Market Economies.
Between the U.S and Russia, both were competing in a Nuclear Arms race to create the first atomic weapon.
On the other hand, The Russians believed in totalitarian and socialists government controlled economic systems
Both America and Russia had spies stealing secrets from one another like Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
Mr. McCarthy is a senator that had capitalized on America's fears during the Cold War, wrongfully accused Americans of being communist, bullied witnesses, and lost support of Americans to the point of becoming an adjective for false accusations (McCarthyism.)
President Dwight D Eisenhower invoked Massive Retaliation, which was threat of nuclear attack against the Soviets in an attempt prevent the Soviets from using is massive military to take over territory.
America as whole was deeply affected by the Cold War. Impacting home life, a refocus on foreign policy, imbued thoughts of potential nuclear threat. As well as affected states like Virginia by increasing military spending which postilvey affected Virginia's economy,