McCarthyism

Accusation Part II

The "RED" ThreatThroughout the 1940s

and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism.

Capitalizing on those concerns, young Senator Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than 200 communists had infiltrated the US government.

The HUACHouse on Un-American

Activities Committee.Formed in 1938.McCarthy’s accusations

heightened political tensions of the times.

This paranoid hunt for infiltrators was known as McCarthyism and the inquisitions were executed by the HUAC.

The Entertainment IndustryThis was particularly

difficult on writers and entertainers.

Some had passports taken away and others were labeled communist sympathizers.

They were also jailed for refusing to give names of other communists.

320 + AccusationsIn the entertainment

industry alone there were 320 accusations made.

These unsubstantiated accusations destroyed careers as they were all blacklisted.

A Shameful Moment in HistoryThere were a few who

were willing to stand up against McCarthy and the Communist machine.

By 1954, the fervor had died down and many actors and writers were able to return to work.

This was one of the most shameful moments in modern US History.

Works Citedhttp://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/

episodes/arthur-miller/mccarthyism/484/