As World War II concludes, another war begins for America. Unusually, this war will be fought with no direct military campaigns between its primary adversaries, the United States and the Soviet Union. America fears that the Soviets push to globalize communism is a direct attack on America and democracy; therefore, the U.S. utilizes their Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to coordinate covert operations in an effort contain the threat of world domination. Consequently, the conflict becomes known as the Cold War, and CIA Director, Harry Rositzke later describes the ordeal as, “a holy war against the infidels, a defense of free God-fearing mean against the atheistic Communist system.” (Kinzer) Throughout the 50’s, the agency’s clandestine activities
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Officers orchestrated propaganda utilizing magazines, art exhibits, radio programs, musical shows, books, conferences, and culture in general. One example is the Iowa Writers’ Workshop funded by the Fairfield, Rockefeller, and Asia foundations, mere channels for CIA money. The workshop leaders rounded up left-leaning writers with fellowship donations exceeding $40,000 from 1953-56. (Bennett) The agency fundamentally turned art and literature into pro-Western marketing; furthermore, they initiated collaborations between European and American artists, and embraced European works that were banned by the Communist Party. Leftist were pursued with messages that America was more than a military presence; it was a nation steeped in culture and political significance. The agency conducted a program to distribute secret books and air-dropped anti-Soviet leaflets that were highly successful in penetrating the Iron Curtain. The secret books included chapters on Soviet censorship, evidence of books being intercepted by communist authorities, and insinuations of a form of “mental bondage.” (Reisch) Walker and G. C. Minden were credited with developing the CIA’s program of propaganda into an effective political and psychological device successful garnering a pro-western following of important elites, journalists, university professors, student, clergy, economists, authors, artists, and
Officers orchestrated propaganda utilizing magazines, art exhibits, radio programs, musical shows, books, conferences, and culture in general. One example is the Iowa Writers’ Workshop funded by the Fairfield, Rockefeller, and Asia foundations, mere channels for CIA money. The workshop leaders rounded up left-leaning writers with fellowship donations exceeding $40,000 from 1953-56. (Bennett) The agency fundamentally turned art and literature into pro-Western marketing; furthermore, they initiated collaborations between European and American artists, and embraced European works that were banned by the Communist Party. Leftist were pursued with messages that America was more than a military presence; it was a nation steeped in culture and political significance. The agency conducted a program to distribute secret books and air-dropped anti-Soviet leaflets that were highly successful in penetrating the Iron Curtain. The secret books included chapters on Soviet censorship, evidence of books being intercepted by communist authorities, and insinuations of a form of “mental bondage.” (Reisch) Walker and G. C. Minden were credited with developing the CIA’s program of propaganda into an effective political and psychological device successful garnering a pro-western following of important elites, journalists, university professors, student, clergy, economists, authors, artists, and