Question

Interview Questions:

Pick 5-10 of these to ask

1: Do you have clear memories of the Cold War as a child/teenager/etc.?


2: How did you feel about the Cold War at the time?


3: How did you hear other people/adults/parents talking about the war at that time?


4: What things do you remember hearing?


5: In what ways were you impacted or affected by the Cold War?


3: How did this interview change your perspective about the Cold War?

Answer 1

Basic Information

• Name: John Smith
• Relation to You: Grandparent
• Birthday: January 1, 1950
• Age during the Cold War: 10-40
• Where they lived during the Cold War: United States

Interview Questions

• 1. Do you have clear memories of the Cold War as a child/teenager/etc.?

Ans:

Yes, I do. I was a child during the Cold War, and I remember it being a time of great fear and uncertainty. There was always the threat of nuclear war, and we had to practice air raid drills in school.

• 2. How did you feel about the Cold War at the time?

Ans:

I was scared. I didn't understand why the United States and the Soviet Union were enemies, and I didn't want to die in a nuclear war.

• 3. How did you hear other people/adults/parents talking about the war at that time?

Ans:

They talked about it a lot. They were worried about the possibility of nuclear war, and they were concerned about the spread of communism.

• 4. What things do you remember hearing?

Ans:

I remember hearing about the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Space Race. I also remember hearing about the Soviet Union's human rights abuses.

• 5. In what ways were you impacted or affected by the Cold War?

Ans:

I was impacted in a number of ways. I was scared of nuclear war, and I was worried about the spread of communism. I also had to participate in air raid drills in school.

• 6. When you were a child, did you hear people talking about nuclear bombs? If so, how did people seem to feel about nuclear bombs?

Ans:

Yes, I did. People were very afraid of nuclear bombs. They talked about the possibility of a nuclear winter, and they were worried about the effects of radiation.

• 7. When you were a child, did your school have air-raid drills? What did the students have to do during an air-raid drill? Why?

Ans:

Yes, my school had air-raid drills. During an air-raid drill, we would all go into the basement of the school and huddle under our desks. We were told to do this in case of a nuclear attack.

• 8. When you were younger, did you ever hear about or see a bomb shelter? What supplies did people put in bomb shelters? Why?

Ans:

Yes, I did. I remember seeing bomb shelters in people's yards. People would put food, water, and other supplies in bomb shelters in case of a nuclear attack.

• 9. Are there any specific Cold War events that you remember particularly well? How did they impact you at the time?

Ans:

I remember the Cuban Missile Crisis very well. I was 13 years old at the time, and I was terrified. I thought the world was going to end.

• 10. Do you remember seeing footage of the Berlin Wall falling? What did you feel at that time?

Ans:

Yes, I remember seeing footage of the Berlin Wall falling. I was so happy. I thought it was a sign that the Cold War was finally over.

• 11. What US Presidents stood out to you during this time? Did you feel they handled the war well?

Ans:

John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan stood out to me. I thought Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile Crisis well, and I thought Reagan did a good job of containing the Soviet Union.

• 12. What do you remember hearing/being told about the other World Leaders at this time (Gorbachev, Krushchev, Castro, etc.)

Ans:

I remember hearing about Nikita Khrushchev and Fidel Castro. I thought Khrushchev was a reckless leader, and I thought Castro was a dictator.

• 13. Do you remember seeing propaganda that villainized other countries? Other people groups?

Ans:

Yes, I do. I remember seeing propaganda that villainized the Soviet Union and communism. I also remember seeing propaganda that villainized the United States and capitalism.

Reflection

1. I learned a lot about the Cold War from my interview with John Smith. I learned about the fear and uncertainty that people felt during this time, and I learned about the events that shaped the Cold War.
2. I learned that John Smith was a very intelligent and thoughtful man. He had a lot of insights into the Cold War, and he was able to articulate his thoughts very well.
3. This interview changed my perspective about the Cold War. I now see it as a time of great fear and uncertainty, but also a time of great hope. I am grateful to John Smith for sharing his memories with me.