 | Unofficial Ambassadors: American Military Families Overseas and the Cold War, 1946-1965 Subjects: Families of military personnel -- United States; Military spouses -- United States; Americans -- Foreign countries -- History -- 20th century; United States -- Armed Forces -- Foreign countries -- History -- 20th century; Cold War; As thousands of wives and children joined American servicemen stationed at overseas bases in the years following World War II, the military family represented a friendlier, more humane side of the United States' campaign for dominance in the Cold War. Wives in particular were encouraged to use their feminine influence to forge ties with residents of occupied and host nations. In this untold story of Cold War diplomacy, Donna Alvah describes how these "unofficial ambassadors" spread the United States' perception of itself and its image of world order in the communities where husbands and fathers were stationed, cultivating relationships with both local people and other military families in private homes, churches, schools, women's clubs, shops, and other places. Alvah Donna : Donna Alvah is assistant professor and Margaret Vilas Chair of U.S. History at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. |
