McCarthyism, Witch Hunts and The Crucible

“Witch-Hunt” Actual Meaning: The search for witches or evidence of witchcraft, often involving moral panic, mass hysteria, and lynching. Think: Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693 Metaphor: Moral panics in general, especially the frantic persecution of perceived enemies. Think: Second Red Scare and McCarthyism

McCarthyism Background Communism: The economic and social movement which aims for a classless society in which everyone owns everything. Emerged in Russia in the late 19th Century and reached around 75,000 members in the United States in 1940-1941. Cold War: Following World War II, the United States and Russia, allies against Germany, Japan, and Italy, became adversaries. Each country played the game of one-upsmanship, trying to outdo each other in weaponry, technology, and world control. Spies were used extensively in both countries.

McCarthyism Definition: the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro-communist activity, in many instances unsupported by proof or based on slight, doubtful, or irrelevant evidence. During this era, thousands of Americans were accused of being communist sympathizers and were forced to undergo investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels. Hundreds were imprisoned and 10,000 to 12,000 people lost their jobs.

Joseph McCarthy Republican U.S. senator from Wisconsin. In 1950, during a speech in West Virginia, McCarthy produced a piece of paper of “known communists” working for the government. Led the anti-Communist crusade known as the Second Red Scare.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) While McCarthy did not lead HUAC, which was created prior to WWII, his anti-Communist crusade allowed the committee to investigate the Hollywood film industry. “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Witnesses who refused to answer were sent to jail, while those who claimed their Fifth Amendment rights (refusal to testify against oneself) were fired from their jobs. Witnesses were required to either incriminate themselves or name someone they know or believe to be a Communist.

Senate Committees McCarthy headed a Senate committee charged with investigating suspected Communists. His investigation of the Army and subsequent live hearings led to the dropping of McCarthy’s popularity. Journalist Edward R. Murrow did an investigative report of McCarthy on See It Now, a precursor to 60 Minutes, which ultimately led to McCarthy’s downfall.