Amerika sparked much controversy from many camps long before it even aired. Many liberals dismissed the mini-series as right wing paranoia, while many conservatives complained that the Soviet brutality that was depicted was seriously underplayed. Several re-writes and production delays resulted. Many objected to it on the basis that it could damage American-Soviet relations. The United Nations publicly objected to the depiction of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces as a Soviet controlled occupying force. The Soviet government at one point threatened to shut down the ABC News Moscow Bureau if the mini-series aired (although this threat was never carried out.) This prompted ABC President John B. Sias to state "We're going to run that program come rain, blood, or horse manure."
This was Lara Flynn Boyle's first major role. She had filmed a bit part for Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), but it was cut prior to the movie's release.
The attack helicopters seen during the "Lincoln Week" parade were originally created for use in Blue Thunder (1983).
This was developed in direct response to The Day After (1983), which many right-wing conservatives claimed was left-wing propaganda.
In the scene where the assembled crowd recites the American Pledge of Allegiance, the extras had to be taught it since the miniseries was filmed in Canada.