Quick Write: Have you ever been accused of something you did not do? What happened? How did it make you feel?
McCarthyism & Communism in America The Red Scare McCarthyism & Communism in America
Communism in the USA The American Communist Party Political Platform Believed in fighting extensive poverty, racial injustice & abuse of workers by corporations Strongest during the Great Depression Attracted workers, intellectuals, artists & college students (Labor Unions)
View of Communism Changes Stalin terrorizes enemies & tighten internal security Interest in Communism sharply declines
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Established in 1938 WWII Soviet Union is now an ally Concerns of Communism are put on hold Cold War Espionage activity by Stalin increases HUAC hearings begin again
The Witch Hunts Federal Employee Loyalty Program 3000 servicemen forced to resign 212 fired government employees Played on fear of atomic bomb Duck and Cover
Ways to be suspected of disloyalty: Criticize American foreign policy Advocate equal rights for women Own books on Socialism Attend foreign films Have former associations with radicals Belong to a group classified as “Dangerous”
The Red Hunt Expands Propaganda that encourages citizens to spy on each other He Must Be a Communist Are you a commie, or a citizen? Private citizens organize watch dog groups Vigilantes, self-appointed seekers of justice, often use illegal measures Blacklisting becomes acceptable and encouraged
McCarran Act 1950 Required Communist Organizations to register with the government. Makes it illegal to engage in activities that would create a Communist government
McCarthyism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVA_xj bYvxM
Joseph McCarthy United State senator from Wisconsin February 9th 1950 Announces he has a list of 205 communists working in the State Department
McCarthyism in Action Used intimidation and often false accusations in the name of fighting communism Never produces any credible evidence and story changes Still manages to ruin reputations of public officials
McCarthyism in the Army McCarthy claims there is a Communist conspiracy in the armed forces (military) in 1954 The Army was ready, and McCarthy was humiliated
McCarthy vs. Murrow McCarthy is challenged by Edward R. Murrow of CBS’s See It Now March 1954 ~ Murrow airs a special TV program criticizing McCarthy This program contributes to a nationwide backlash against McCarthy “Good night and good luck”
http://www. youtube. com/watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4LZsDqSSfk Murrow and McCarthy interview
McCarthy’s Downfall McCarthy claims against the armed forces are proven wrong McCarthy’s reputation is ruined McCarthy dies by 1957 from over drinking
End of the Red Scare? HUAC loses influence after McCarthy falls. McCarran Act declared unconstitutional in 1993 Anti-Communist tensions still existed
Exit Ticket How does your experience relate to those being accused during the Red Scare?