The Cold War The Cold War at Home…at Home…

Communism

Write down some ideas of why you think Americans were so afraid of communism…

Ideological struggle for world influence/power

Strong communist presence in Asia & Europe

100,000 members of American Communist Party

President Truman

Portrayed by the Republicans as soft on communism

Established Loyalty Review Board

But veto's the McCarran Act Congress overrides the veto

McCarran Act

Communist organizations had to register with the Attorney General and members names to be published

Members were denied passports and jobs in government agencies and labor unions

Allowed for the detention of disloyal citizens

What do you think Truman means by, “In a free country we punish men for the crimes they commit, but never for the opinions they have.”

Increased Fear of CommunismHUAC

House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

1947 began to investigate allegations of communism in Hollywood

Investigations led to the imprisonment of the Hollywood Ten and the creation of the Hollywood Blacklist

People who were blacklisted could no longer work

Watch the following clip:1. Why does he refuse to testify?2. What experiences does he have after he is

labeled a communist?

Witnesses begin to name names due to fear of being accused of Communism

Alger Hiss

A communism spy Chambers accuses Hiss of being a spy too

Hiss worked for the State Department

Nixon pursues case A microfilm is discovered

in a pumpkin on Chamber’s farm containing secret documents written on Hiss’s typewriter

Hiss convicted of perjury

The Rosenbergs

The Rosenbergs

1949 Soviet Union explodes Atomic Bomb Americans believed it would take the USSR

another 3 to 5 years to get the bomb Therefore American communist spies must

have passed info to the USSR Rosenbergs charged with espionage During their trial they plead the fifth Sentenced to death for the crime of

espionage First U.S. Civilians to be executed for

espionage

I. Who is McCarthy I. Who is McCarthy Anyway?Anyway?

A. In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin was looking for re-election.

B. Claimed 205 unknown Communists in state dept.

C.Opposed him= Communist

Telegram From McCarthy to Truman - 1950

Truman’s reply

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

A. Elements of McCarthyism: I. Pressure to inform on

others II. Accusation of disloyalty III. Proof not always

necessaryIV.Created a climate of

hysteria

Hearings were Hearings were UnconstitutionalUnconstitutional

A. 1st Amendment—Freedom of Speech

B. 5th Amendment—Due Process, don’t have to testify against self

C. 6th Amendment—Criminal Proceedings, right to face accuser

The Red Scare The Red Scare Comes to An EndComes to An End

A. McCarthy accuses the Army1.1954 Eisenhower

President2.Criticism from the media

B.His colleagues finally realize how ridiculous this all is and he loses re-election.