The Cold War and American Society 15-3

The Red Scare Fear of communism spreading across America Many Americans were scared of Communist subversion Subversion- effort to weaken a society secretly and overthrow the government

The Fear Spreads Loyalty Review Program- screenings on all federal employees Done to confirm the infiltration of spies in the government HUAC (House Un- American Activities Committee)- put many people and organizations on trial in regards to being communist

HUAC “The Hollywood Ten” Hollywood on Trial- 151 actors, directors, producers, etc. were blacklisted from Hollywood They would not be hired to work Alger Hiss- U.S. diplomat accused of being a Communist spy He was charged with Perjury- lying under oath “The Hollywood Ten”

HUAC The Rosenbergs Case- charged with running a Soviet Spy ring that was responsible for selling atomic bomb secrets to the Soviets. Project Venona- in 1946 U.S. and British cryptographers broke the Soviet spy code. Allowed us to read over 3,000 messages between U.S. and Soviets

McCarthyism Senator Joseph McCarthy accused many people of Communism Struck fear into the American people Americans began accusing each other out of fear of being accused themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtTm4dTmmLU

Cold War Effects the Home-Front Fear of nuclear war also began to spread across America Soviets successfully tested an Atomic bomb in 1949 and a Hydrogen bomb in 1953 Many Americans feared an attack

On the Home-Front Duck and Cover Drills Bomb Shelters Rationing/Stockpiling of goods Movies, Plays, Books, etc. portrayed life with communism The Crucible- related the Salem Witch hunts to the Red Scare https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60