Let's say this nuclear exchange occurs between 1966 and 1970, assuming the contingency operations of every major power goes as planned and civilization manages to rebuild, what would a post-nuclear world look like say 30 to 40 years after? How would this affect culture including music, cars, and social taboos? Would there be more war or less war in general?
Let's take Two scenario were Time is essential for what follow next
1962 Nuclear War USA USSR, fewer Nukes with large yields
1/3 World population died in aftermath, USA lost 30 millions, while USSR, China is wipe out form existence, Europe lies in radioactive ruins.
But still there enough industrial capacity reach in 1972 pre war level in USA and undamaged parts of World.
the USA will stay for while the only superpower in World, but slowly other nations gain hardware from ruins of USSR and Europe
Like Jet-fighters, bombers and Nuclear weapons and reverse-engineer them. there will local conflicts were those nations test there new nukes !
but biggest conflict will be around 1992 were radioactivity drop to 50% making large areas in Europa, USSR and China liveable again.
and Allot local new Nations will start conquering those areas for better living conditions.
This World War 4 could base for future wars, like WW1 was for WW2 and WW3...
1983 Nuclear War USA USSR, massive number Nukes with lower yields
2/3 of World population died in aftermath, USA , USSR, China, Europe is wipe out form existence.
There is not enough industrial capacity to regain pre war level word wide, do massive infrastructure damage world wide.
i call what comes now in scenario
the Mad Max era, were people fight for every scrap of food, fuel, ammo and spare part.
Around 2013 the Mad Max era start to decline do failure in parts you can't replace anymore.
in mean time the radioactivity drop to 50% making large areas in former USA, Europa, USSR and China liveable again.
After 2033 people have to rely on self made technology
Who is able to blacksmith muzzle-loader out local resource, rules the area (i mean not only the Wood, Metal, but also ingredient for blackpowder !)
It would be strange world like in former USA, you will find Nomads, people who live in medieval conditions, while others live like in 18th century.
the remains of USA would be a hotchpotch of settlements, city states, kingdoms, republics. who fighting each other vor various reasons...
possibly that
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints manage to create there version of Deseret nation.
Out Utah and Idaho with own culture, believes and alphabet.
But sooner or later some one get on idea to conquer the former USA and return to it former Glory,
like the vage legend of conquer like Caesar the little or mighty Washington
if science progress is not hampers by religious dogmas or lack of resource, the world could regain pre war level in 2300~2400.