What did Americans fear during the 1950's and what did the government do about it?

During the 1950s, Americans primarily feared the threat of communism, particularly in the context of the Cold War and the possibility of nuclear war. This fear was exacerbated by events such as the Korean War and the Soviet Union's development of nuclear weapons. In response, the U.S. government implemented measures like McCarthyism, which included aggressive investigations and accusations against alleged communists, and established civil defense programs to prepare citizens for potential nuclear attacks, including bomb shelters and educational campaigns on safety procedures.