This was the beginning of the so-called Cold War, which was to continue until the collapse of the Soviet Union. During this period, verbal intimidation pretty much replaced police power as a way of letting the military have its way. Nevertheless, the anti-communist lever grew ever less powerful as time went on. The fact that it was only applied to rather small and underdeveloped adversaries caused a great many people to have second thoughts about this methodology of opposing the rise of communism. Also, the ability of television to quickly bring events into our living rooms gave us even more pause about the wisdom of this course.
Children aflame with napalm is a stark reminder indeed to the actual reality of warfare.
Still, the government, under the stewardship of Richard Nixon, used every trick it could think of to put down protests to the war in Vietnam. But, there is no doubt that opposition to military adventurism is almost completely open and permitted by official forces in our society. I also had to say that despite the frequent use of the FBI, CIA or other government agencies in covert operations against dissenters, the U.S. never felt the need to create an open and explicit police force to stifle antiwar activity. It exists and is growing stronger, more repressive and more dangerous each year. It's tactics are unconstitutional, secretive, ruthless and brutal.