Accusation Part II McCarthyism

The "RED" Threat Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism. Capitalizing on those concerns, young Senator Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than 200 communists had infiltrated the US government.

The HUAC House on Un-American Activities Committee. Formed in 1938. McCarthy’s accusations heightened political tensions of the times. This paranoid hunt for infiltrators was known as McCarthyism and the inquisitions were executed by the HUAC.

The Entertainment Industry This was particularly difficult on writers and entertainers. Some had passports taken away and others were labeled communist sympathizers. They were also jailed for refusing to give names of other communists.

320 + Accusations In the entertainment industry alone there were 320 accusations made. These unsubstantiated accusations destroyed careers as they were all blacklisted.

A Shameful Moment in History There were a few who were willing to stand up against McCarthy and the Communist machine. By 1954, the fervor had died down and many actors and writers were able to return to work. This was one of the most shameful moments in modern US History.

Works Cited http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/ arthur-miller/mccarthyism/484/