McCarthyism THE RED SCARE OF COMMUNISM

Alliance with Soviet Union ended Cold War set in The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in full swing World War II Ended

Prove the Screen Writer’s Guild had communist members Hoped to prove writer’s inserted treasonous propaganda in Hollywood films Lastly, J. Parnell Thomas (head of committee) argued Roosevelt had encouraged pro-Soviet films through duration of war HUAC Agenda (1947)-- The Witch Hunts

Hollywood “10” 3 options *Claim to never have been members of the Communist Party *Admit to membership of said party *Plead the 5th Held in Contempt; serve year in jail Blacklisted

Hollywood Responds Hollywood Exec’s released statement: “We, will not knowingly employ a Communist or a member of any party or group which advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force, or by any illegal or unconstitutional method.”

The Unofficial Blacklist , directed by John S. Wood 324 current or former Hollywood workers 212 working, but lost jobs

Bank Involvement During war--banks were loose with funds During the “Red Scare”--pressure on banks Push for conservative films--no social commentary In fact, anti-Communist feel Censorship and Monitoring of Content-- Big Push!! Production Code Administration (PCA)

Joseph McCarthy Senator of Wisconsin claims the name of 81 communist in State Department McCarran Act (Internal Security Act of 1950) *Authorizes concentration camps *Truman originally vetoed the legislation (Truman noted as Un- American) Led second wave of HUAC hearings

Smear Campaigning 1947 McCarthy Elected Immediately began investigations into State Dept. –Weakened character of opponents for re-election –Launched fear of communist penetration –Smear campaigning (picked up from Nixon)

Entertainers Subpoenaed Orson Welles Lucille Ball Dashielle Hammett Lillian Hellman (All of the above were pressured to name Names!!)

Communism in the Army? Robert Stevens confrontation with McCarthy Investigations Army receives vindication

McCarthy Trials End Senate Votes to censure McCarthy “Conduct contrary to Senatorial tradition”--abuse of powers McCarthy dies at the Naval Medical Center in Maryland at age 48