How did the cold war affect Americans at home

it caused lots of tension and stress/anxiety due to the looming threat of nuclear war

The Cold War was part of the 2nd Red Scare. It led to the construction of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee led by Joseph McCarthy. It led to a nuclear arms race in which Americans thought they faced imminent destruction at the hands of the Soviet Union, It led to cold war conflicts in Turkey, Greece and hot war conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

Explanation: The Cold War dominated the American landscape from 1945-1989.