The Cold War at HomeChapter 18 - 3

Main idea: During the late 1940s and early 1950s,

fear of communism led to reckless charges against innocent citizens.

Why It Matters Now Americans today should remain

concerned about unfounded accusations that happen during times of duress.

Fear of Communist Influence Americans believed there were serious

concerns about the security of the US after WWII.

Americans were afraid that communism would spread to all parts of the world, including the USA.

“How to Spot a Communist”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQVXHlMvOoU

Fear of Communist Influence A Loyalty Review Board was created by

the president to investigate public employees and to dismiss those who might be communist.

3.2 million people were investigated. Some resigned because they felt their rights were being violated and 212 were dismissed as security risks. None were allowed to see the evidence against them – witch hunt.

Fear of Communist Influence The House Un-American Activities

Committee (HUAC) was created to find communists also.

They focused on Hollywood and the movie industry.

The Hollywood 10 refused to cooperate because they thought the hearings were unconstitutional. They were sent to prison because they refused to answer questions.

Fear of Communist Influence Hollywood created a

blacklist, a list of people who they thought were communists. These people were no longer allowed to work in the film industry, and many of their lives were ruined.

Spy Cases Stun the Nation Two spy cases inflamed the country, making

people fear communism was spreading. Alger Hiss was accused of being a

Communist spy (never proven either way). Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of

leaking information to the Soviets to help them build the atomic bomb. They were found guilty of espionage and executed.

Communist Spies?

McCarthy Launches his “Witch Hunt” Joseph McCarthy is

the most famous anti-Communist activist of the time period.

McCarthy claimed that Communists were taking over the government.

McCarthy Launches his “Witch Hunt” His information was unfounded. He did

his name-calling only in the Senate, where he had immunity from being tried for slander if he was wrong.

Eventually he went too far and lost favor with the American public.