American Exceptionalism, Cold War foreign policy and the 1950s Western Films.

• In Event: Pop Culture and The Framing of Politics

Abstract

While most people equate the western film genre with American history (and thus domestic politics) the “frontier” should be considered foreign policy. Manifest destiny was the conquest of indigenous peoples. This paper explores the myths of the American west (exceptionalism) with foreign policy using the medium of film. Myths are never static and require constant renegotiation. Films are important vehicles that capture how we choose to remember the past and just as importantly commentary for what is going on in the present. This paper explores how films like High Noon, (1952); and The Searchers (1956) encapsulates how American exceptionalism frames not only American history of the west but the 1950’s Global South, and its indigenous peoples. The Indian Country of the Searchers becomes a perfect stand-in of Cold War fears for decolonization, and the anxieties it provoked. While High Noon explores frontier law and order and the morality of interventionism. Americans hoped they would be Marshall Will Kane in the world—even if the people of the world saw something different.

Author

• Christopher Cook, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown