Project National Security and Legislative Coalitions in the Cold War United States (1945-91) Program Liberal Arts Term Academic Year 2025 Status Closed Research Area History Description This research examines the formation of unlikely social and political coalitions in the late-twentieth-century United States around national security and civil liberties. During the Cold War (1945-91), US society witnessed the rapid expansion of both liberalism, as social groups such as women and racial, religious, and sexual minorities won new civil rights, and the national security state. The primary focus of this ongoing collaboration is historical actors who merged their support for US national security—including nuclear deterrence during the Cold War arms race—and LGBTQ rights claims. While historians have explained LGBTQ support for conservative political organizations with hawkish tendencies, attention has remained constrained to domestic and social issues (e.g., policing, taxes). Instead, we ask how LGBTQ support and criticism of nuclear weapons, nuclear deterrence, and nuclear arms control related to the centering of LGBTQ rights in US electoral politics during the Cold War. By focusing on defense and foreign policy, this project explores why and how LGBTQ rights became highly relevant to partisanship and bipartisanship in the US two-party system. Where did LGBTQ advocates see intersections between nuclear weapons policy and their own communities' concerns? Why? What did these intersections reveal about changes in US society, politics, defense, and diplomacy during the Cold War? Students will substantially contribute to this study through the development, management, and investigation of a digital database of relevant published materials, while pursuing independent research in the history of Cold War defense, diplomacy, and policy-making. Supervisor Christopher Ewing Mentor Austin Rory Cooper Type of work required Students will assist in collecting relevant published material from diverse news outlets, compiling material in a digital repository, and cataloguing documents. Students will further be integral to the launch of a Cold War History lab within the History Department through the development of an online research platform and will have the opportunity to join the lab at the end of their tenure. Finally, students will receive support and mentorship in pursuing independent research projects. Austin Cooper and Christopher Ewing will serve in both a supervisory and mentorship capacity. Websites Qualifications GPA of 3.5 or higher At least six previous credit hours (two courses) of history at Purdue Sophomore (as of August 2025) or higher Credit Hours 0 Weekly Hours 4 (estimated)