There was fear mongering but it was different. Some ways more intense at times and less intense at other times. We didn't have access to instant information back then. You had the daily news paper every morning and the national news on TV every evening.
Everyone was concerned the Commies were going to take over the world. (Looking around it kinda looks like they did as for as the U.S. is concerned.)
I was 8 years old during the Cuban Missile Crisis when we all knew nuclear hell was about to rain down from heaven . I still remember the fear on all of the adult's faces. It was like they were all under a horrible strain. I saw it on their faces everywhere, at home, at school, at church and at the store. There was some pretty intense fear mongering going on only we had good reason to be afraid.
Edit: A moment of silence here in honor of Ronald Reagan. Him, me, and a bunch of other guys stood eyeball to eyeball with the Soviet Union. They blinked after about 30years.