Korean War and Mccarthyism 1950s Cold War Korean War and Mccarthyism

Korean War June 25, 1950 – North Korean forces sweep across the 38th Parallel and attack South Korea beginning the war. 38th Parallel: boundary dividing North and South Korea (38 degrees North Latitude)

Korean War War ends in stalemate in July 1951 North Korea nearly conquers South Korea and UN troops. General MacArthur sent, leads a successful counterattack and nearly unites Korea China sends reinforcements and forces them to retreat across 38th Parallel War ends in stalemate in July 1951

MacArthur vs Truman Truman rejects his request Before war ended, MacArthur recommends attacking China Calls for use of nuclear weapons against Chinese cities. Truman rejects his request China had a mutual-assistance pact with USSR Feared it would start WWIII

Truman vs. MacArthur MacArthur spoke and wrote privately to newspaper & magazine publishers, and especially Republican leaders. Truman fires him on April 11, 1951 Majority of Americans were outraged. 69% supported him “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”

“Cold” America

New Red Scare Fear of Communism spreads heavily

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Began investigating Communist influence in the film industry in 1947 Walt Disney included Hollywood Ten Blacklist – A list of people condemned for having a Communist background Approx. 500 actors, writers, producers and directors had their careers ended.

I spy a communist spy Alger Hiss – accused by a former communist spy of spying for the USSR Microfilm of government documents were claimed to be written on Hiss’s typewriter Too much time had passed to convict him of espionage, but he was convicted of perjury

The Rosenbergs Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Minor activists in American Communist Party Accused of leaking information about A-Bomb to Soviets No concrete evidence against them, Executed by electric chair in June 1953 First US Civilians executed for espionage

Sen. Joseph McCarthy Most famous anti-communist senator Needed an issue to help him get re-elected Charged that communists were taking over the government McCarthyism – unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing evidence. At various times, McCarthy claimed to have in his hands the names of 57, 81, & 205 Communists in the State Dept. Yet he never actually produced a single name. Only did this in the Senate, where he had legal immunity that protected him from slander. His downfall was making accusations against US Army in 1954 Nationally televised Senate investigation displayed his bullying of witnesses

Other anti-communist measures By 1953, 39 states had passed laws making it legal to advocate the violent overthrow of the government. Later ruled unconstitutional In Indiana, professional wrestlers had to take a loyalty oath. Union leaders, librarians, newspaper reporters, authors, and scientists were investigated. Declaration of Independence experiment.

1950s America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjOYY0g4wQ As you watch, write what you think life was like during the 1950s