Duck and Cover Impact on Children: History Coursework

Duck and Cover Impact on Children
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Duck and Cover film was released in 1952 when tensions existed between the Soviet Union and the USA. Ray Maurer was the propaganda film producer, and the client was the Federal Civil Defense Administration. The Soviet Union detonated an atomic bomb in 1949, alarming the USA. The Americans became worried that the Soviet Union would deny them the monopoly they enjoyed dealing with the atomic bomb. It was for fear of the USA's domination that the Americans produced a film that would educate the society on how to take cover if there was an atomic bomb. Duck and Cover would, later on, be shown in schools all over the USA. Simultaneously, the USA detonated a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb, which was powerful than the one that had devastated Hiroshima. However, the movie's impact was to positively impact school children by educating them on how to take cover in case of danger due to the arms race.
In the period of the Cold Warta time when political tension rose and was followed by World War 2, the USA was of the fear that the Soviet Union would invade them by use of a nuclear bomb. With an imminent danger that the USA was facing, it took the strategy of getting into popular media to educate the school going children on how they would defend themselves if the Soviet Union conducted an invasion. 'Duck and Cover' drills were used, and they borrowed a lot from the movie Duck and Cover, whereby school-going children were taught ways to shield themselves if there was a nuclear attack.[Matthews Jr, Melvin E. Duck, and cover: Civil defense images in film and television from the cold war to 9/11. McFarland, 2011.]
Using the duck and cover drill, students are supposed to get to the floor and position themselves under a shield like a desk. After that, a student is considered to face down while lying, stay curled, and cover their neck and head using an object like a book, jacket, or hands. The deal's main aim was to shield students against imminent dangers such as any nuclear blast's side effects. With the atomic explosion, the strength of the explosion would come up with high amounts of heat. There would also be chances where windows would be shattered. However, by keeping the face down on a floor, one would be free from burns and flying pieces of glasses due to an explosion. All that information was from the Duck and Cover film.
The film was produced to make students aware of their environment. Students were warned that times were dangerous, and they had to behave like Bert. In case students were in their daily routine playing and had no information concerning allocation that was safe, they were informed to talk to nearby adults. Additionally, the students were always taught to respect authorities like the Civil defense employees who were supposed to ensure their safety. The film can be interpreted as one that was supposed to pass good morals to students. By not disrespecting students, the film meant passing valuable lessons to students to emulate their seniors. On the other hand, adults were supposed to be there for school going children whenever they required help. Duck and Cover film was, therefore, a basic form of popular media in educating the society to be prepared in case of danger of an approaching threat or enemy.[Santos, Michael Wayne. United States Foreign Policy 1945-1968: The Bomb, Spies, Stories, and Lies. Lexington Books, 2020.]
The 1950s saw the start of the arms race between the USA and the Soviet Union. The Americans took advantage of educating its citizens on ways to take shelter if there was an atomic bomb on their soil. The aim of taking cover was to increase survival chances if there was an atomic bomb in the USA. The USA was aware that the Soviet Union was on the USA's neck, and it had to prepare all of its citizens as the enemy would approach at any time. By showcasing the Duck and Cover film in schools all over the USA to let its young generation that it was vital for them to be prepared to avert the threat of an enemy. Students were taught how to take cover under their desks. However, taking a shield under the desk may be taken as literary in meaning as no one can hide under a desk and be safe from an atomic bomb. However, the school-going children's message is always to be prepared and shelter in any danger.
Duck and Cover film used a character named Bert, who was a cartoon. The character could duck at any time that a flashlight appeared. On the other hand, teachers were also educated to exclaim 'drop' as they taught their lessons. Therefore, one can analyze the film to keep students prepared and watch out for any forthcoming...