1. 18.3: The Cold War at Home

2. Fear of Communist Influence USSR domination in Eastern Europe Communist takeover in China During WWII, 80,000 Americans claimed to be members of the Communist Party – Many feared their loyalty was to the USSR, not the USA Truman pressured to be tougher on communism March 1947: Federal Employee Loyalty Program – Investigate federal employees – 91 “subversive” organizations-membership to any was grounds for dismissal

3. The Fear of Communism & Civil Rights 1947-1951: 3.2 million employees are investigated – 212 fired – 2,900 resign-believe their rights were being violated People were not allowed to see evidence against them!

4. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) HUAC: first investigated Communist influence in movie industry (1947) Believed Communist propaganda was present in films – Pointed to films made when USSR was a US ally during WWII “Hollywood Ten”: Hollywood film employees, refused to cooperate-SENT TO PRISON – Said investigations were unconstitutional Blacklist is created: 500 people on list had careers ruined The Hollywood Ten

5. The Rosenbergs September 3, 1949: USSR explodes atomic bomb – Many wondered in secret technology was leaked to the USSR Ethel and Julius Rosenberg: – Jewish – Accused of giving a German Physicist atomic secrets – Pleaded 5 th Amendment to their charges – Claimed they were wrongly accused – Sentenced to death – 1 st US citizens executed for espionage

7. Joseph McCarthy Republican, Wisconsin 1952: Claimed Communists were taking over the gov’t – Made many unsupported accusations – McCarthyism 1954: Made accusations against the US Army – Resulted in a nationally televised investigation – Lost public support – Died from alcoholism 3 years later Good Night and Good Luck-McCarthyism Good Night and Good Luck-McCarthyism