Chapter 25 Section 3 The Cold War Begins Riddlebarger The Second Red Scare “Beware, commies, spies, traitors, and foreign agents! Captain America, with all loyal, free men behind him, is looking for you!” Chapter 25 Section 3 The Cold War Begins Riddlebarger

Capitalism (Market)- A social and economic system (such as that exists in the USA) in which the means of production (land, factories, etc.) are owned by private individuals or corporations that are motivated by profit with one another.

Growing Fear of Communism Post-WW2 years are a tense time in America. 2 events increase anxiety: Soviets develop own atomic bomb China becomes Communist

Soviet Atomic Weapons August 1949: Soviets detonate an atomic weapon This announcement comes as a great shock to U.S. Soon, Pres. Truman will seek to strengthen our military against possible Soviet threat.

Threat of Communist China Within days of Soviet A-bomb announcement, U.S. learns Communists had gained control of China. People’s Republic of China is born.

Red China Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-Shek fled mainland China for Taiwan Chiang was loyal friend of U.S. Chinese Communists are led by Mao Zedong Now the worry is that China will pose an additional threat to U.S.

Spread of Communism

Fighting the Spread of Communism at Home Events of 1949 (China, Soviet A-bomb) fed strong anti-Communist feelings in USA. Some had been concerned of possible Communist influence in U.S. government Efforts underway to root out disloyal people.

Investigating Communism In the House of Representatives, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) focuses on the threat of communism in the U.S. Most famous investigation is in 1947 of Hollywood. HUAC collects names of Hollywood writers and directors thought to have radical viewpoints Hollywood Ten are those who refused to cooperate- found guilty of contempt and sent to jail.

Blacklisted Others now panic and offer up names of suspected communists Those refusing names are blacklisted

100 Things You Should Know About Communism HUAC distributes pamphlets alerting people to communism. Question: Where can they be found? Answer: Everywhere

Truman and Loyalty Public fear of communism puts pressure on U.S. leaders No leader wanted to appear weak when dealing with communism. Truman felt he had to take action because Republicans in Congress are claiming Commies are in government. Begin investigating public employees.

Smith Act 1940’s law makes it a crime to call for the overthrow of U.S. government or belong to an organization that did so. This allow the government to charge several leaders of the Communist Party USA. Several are convicted and sent to jail. Supreme Court upheld law Years later, a new Court ruling said it was only a crime when person called for specific actions to overthrow the government.

McCarran Act 1950- Congress takes further action to fight communism McCarran Act required Communist organizations to register with the government. Also prevented Communist and other radicals from entering U.S. Truman vetoes bill saying, it “would delight Communists” by making “a mockery of the Bill of Rights & of our claims to stand for freedom in the world.” Congress overrides the veto.

Spy Cases Communist fears were also fueled by spy cases of late 1940’s. One involved former government official Alger Hiss. Accused by a former Communist spy of trying to place Communists in the government. Hiss denied the claims Later convicted for lying under oath.

The Rosenbergs Ethel & Julius Rosenberg are accused of leading a spy ring. They deny charges They will be convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage Executed in 1953

Senator Joseph McCarthy

Rise of McCarthyism Senator McCarthy makes claims of communist presence in U.S. government (State Department) Claims to have a list of names His charges create a sensation Many believe this explains loss of China and how Soviets got A-bomb. He never produces the list and a Senate committee finds no evidence

McCarthyism Many believe him even without evidence. McCarthy earns reputation as the nation’s top Communist fighter. He makes further charges (produces no evidence) If you complained, he suggested that maybe you were a communist. McCarthyism comes to mean spreading fear and making baseless charges.

McCarthy’s Fall He becomes increasingly wild in his charges. Goes after fellow Republicans in 1953. 1954: Attacks U.S. Army as communist His Senate hearings are televised and public view starts to turn against him.

“Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all to frequently those who…ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest. The right to independent thought…Freedom of speech…has been so abused by some that it is not exercised by others.” Senator Margaret Chase Smith Declaration of Conscience, June 1, 1950

Review Why was the fear of communism growing in the late 1940’s? What methods and actions did the government use to fight the spread of communism at home? Who was Senator Joe McCarthy, and what was his role in the second Red Scare?

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