Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Atomic Anxiety And The Interstate, Andrew Oidtman

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956 was a much needed piece of legislation that provided the nation an integrated interstate system while also quelling the atomic anxiety that was rampant during the early years of the atomic age. Atomic and communist anxiety was the lynchpin that allowed for interstate legislation to garner support from the American people and federal government. The connection between the interstate system and civilian defense first adopted by President Eisenhower in 1955 as a serious matter accomplished two important tasks. It allowed for the American people to accept increased taxes and allowed the …