What were some topics of the Cold War paranoia?

Answer 1

Paranoia grew during the Cold War. In the United States, the most common topic of paranoia was that anyone could be a spy or double agent. People who traveled frequently, especially as part of their occupation, were often suspected of spying. Actors and actresses were targets, and often, there were rumors about what "special effects" Hollywood could possibly use in films to hypnotize or influence Americans against America.

And, as was typical post World War II, America maintained a paranoia through the mid 1960s that at any time another world leader would send a nuclear warhead to our shores. Schools regularly practiced "drop and cover" drills with students hiding under their desks. With what we now understand about nuclear warfare and dangers, the whole idea that a flimsy school desk would protect a child seems rather bizarre today. But, the drills gave a false sense of security in an otherwise insecure time.