The Second Red Scare

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) Purpose. Purpose.. Search for suspected Communists, root them out, and investigate the extent of their infiltration. Members of HUAC

  The reality of the HUAC   Focused on anyone who they felt was communist, without regard to proof   Used a variety of spy techniques to create facts   Threatened and manipulated witnesses.   As a result, many would tell lies in order to save their own skin.   Refusal to answer questions or cooperate was similar to an admission of guilt.

Senator Joseph McCarthy (WI-R)  McCarthy was a senator who was facing defeat in 1950  He decided to use the anti-communist fervor in the country to his advantage.  Gave a speech in Wheeling that made him a public figure

The List  “I have here a list of 205 names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.”  He later said there were communists in the US Army and President Truman’s Administration

Decline of McCarthy   Army-McCarthy Hearings.   McCarthy accuses the U.S. Army of “coddling” Communists in the U.S.   Also questions the loyalty and integrity of several top generals.   First time many Americans actually witnessed McCarthy’s wild accusations. Americans Watching The Army-McCarthy Hearings At A Television Store

 The hearings were offensive to many and public opinion turns against McCarthy  Result: Senate  Result: Senate officially condemns McCarthy for “conduct unbecoming a member of the United States Senate.”  McCarthy’s power would decline until his death in 1957 from alcoholism. Army-McCarthy Hearings

Dwight Eisenhower’s Containment Massive Retaliation Eisenhower was advised by Secretary of State John Foster DullesEisenhower was advised by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles They believed that the Truman Doctrine was too expensive because it focused on conventional forcesThey believed that the Truman Doctrine was too expensive because it focused on conventional forces They decided to place greater emphasis on nuclear weapons and air powerThey decided to place greater emphasis on nuclear weapons and air power Theory was it would save money and increase pressure on the USSR and its alliesTheory was it would save money and increase pressure on the USSR and its allies B-52 Bomber

Massive Retaliation Also referred to as “brinkmanship” or Mutual Assured Destruction Also referred to as “brinkmanship” or Mutual Assured Destruction Idea is that you scare the other side from acting aggressively, because you have the ability to deliver atomic weapons Idea is that you scare the other side from acting aggressively, because you have the ability to deliver atomic weapons This may work in preventing a big US and USSR war, but how will this work with smaller conflicts? This may work in preventing a big US and USSR war, but how will this work with smaller conflicts?

Ei senhower also attempted to contain the Soviets through the use of treaty’s These were focused on areas of the world where it seemed like Communism was expanding; here are two examples: CENTO SEATO (Central Treaty Organization) (SE Asia Treaty Organization)

Cold War 1959

Nikita Khrushchev replaces Stalin in 1953 De Stalinization—attempt to remove the policies, programs and “cult of personality” created by Stalin Communist states adopt idea of “peaceful coexistence” January 6, 1958

Cold War during Eisenhower Domino Theory (1954)Domino Theory (1954) Hungarian Revolt (1956)Hungarian Revolt (1956) --Puts a hole in Massive Retaliation --Puts a hole in Massive Retaliation

Bonus: 1.What was the Domino Theory? 2.How does the Hungarian Revolution demonstrate a flaw in Massive Retaliation?

Sputnik (1957)Sputnik (1957) --Start of “Space Race” --Start of “Space Race” Cuba (1959)Cuba (1959) --Fidel Castro led a revolution (backed by CIA), --Fidel Castro led a revolution (backed by CIA), --Castro says he is a Marxist and asks for, and receives, Soviet aid --Castro says he is a Marxist and asks for, and receives, Soviet aid --Eisenhower asks the CIA to formulate a plan to retake island --Eisenhower asks the CIA to formulate a plan to retake island

U-2 Incident (1960) --Spy plane missions were going on during the 50’s, but the U.S. denied that it was occurring, U.S.S.R. knew they were lying --Spy plane missions were going on during the 50’s, but the U.S. denied that it was occurring, U.S.S.R. knew they were lying -- Major meeting scheduled in Berlin between Ike and Kruschev -- Major meeting scheduled in Berlin between Ike and Kruschev --Before summit begins, U.S.S.R. announces that a U.S. spy plane was shot down --Before summit begins, U.S.S.R. announces that a U.S. spy plane was shot down --Nikita demands apology, Ike says will stop flights but no apology --Nikita demands apology, Ike says will stop flights but no apology --Propaganda victory for the Soviets, U.S. appears to be lying to the world --Propaganda victory for the Soviets, U.S. appears to be lying to the world

Military-Industrial Complex—Ike’s Farewell Address “ “This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. “