1. The cold war, the red scare, and McCarthyism

2. The cold war
Definition: Open yet restricted rivalry/hostility between U.S. and Soviet Union and respective allies
1947 – 1991
Never featured direct military action

3. Competing Ideologies and Beliefs
United States vs. Soviet Union Democracy vs. Communism

4. The cold war
U.S. & Britain feared Soviet/communist expansion in W. Europe and beyond
Soviets determined to keep control of E. Europe
Quickly became an “arms race” – who could build the most destructive weapons

5. United States
Democratic government:
supreme power vested in people
free electoral system
power exercised directly by people or elected agents

6. United States
Capitalism:
economic system
investment made/ownership maintained mainly by private individuals/corporations, including production, distribution, exchange of wealth

7. United States
Freedom of expression:
Arts
Entertainment
Media
Religion

8. Soviet Union
Communist government:
All economic/social activity controlled by oppressive state
dominated by single political party in continuous control

9. Soviet Union
People incapable of choosing leaders
Repressed all opposition
Demanded rigid obedience
No religious tolerance

10. Distrust and Propaganda
U.S. and Soviet Union assumed very worst of each other
No peace or reconciliatory talks
Emphasized the threat from the other to their citizens

11. Distrust and Propaganda
Sent spy satellites /agents to check each other’s activities

12. Distrust and Propaganda
Politicians referenced and declared U.S. / U.S.S.R. threatened world peace

13. Military Buildup Cold War resulted in massive military buildup.
“Arms Race” - Both sides stocked up on atomic, hydrogen, nuclear weapons.

14. Created massive fear among citizens.
Military Buildup
Use of these weapons would ensure complete annihilation of both countries.
Created massive fear among citizens.

15. The (second) Red Scare 1950 - 1954

16. The effects of fear Fear of communism dominated American politics
Shaped foreign policy
Americans feared individuals who supported ideas/objectives of Communist Party might overthrow U. S. gov.

17. the 1950s
Gov. agencies/politicians carried out overzealous executive/legislative investigations of political dissenters
Disregarded individuals’ basic constitutional rights

18. The Anti-communist Crusade
Nation embarked on crusade
Goal - root out communist influence in American wherever evidence of treason could be found.

19. Public fear Communism a national obsession
Miss America contestants asked for their views on Karl Marx, Communism's founder
Cincinnati Reds baseball team changed name to Redlegs

20. Public fear
Movies, books, TV and radio shows, comic books, celebrities, politicians all warned about the "Red menace."
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21. Mccarthyism

22. Definition of term
the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason w/out proper evidence
Originated during “Red Scare” (1950 – 1954) in U. S. , time of heightened fears of communist influence and Soviet spies

23. Joseph McCarthy Born 1908/died 1957
Consider one of least qualified, most corrupt politicians of his time
Waged vicious campaign to expose Communist spies in U.S. gov.
Never found one, but fueled national hysteria called the “Red Scare”

24. Political ambition
End of first term, McCarthy took advantage of nation’s fanatic terror against communism
Feb. 9, 1950: claimed to have list of 205 known-members of American Communist Party within the State Department

25. Political ambition
Am. public went crazy with thought of radical communists living in U. S.
Demanded investigation of underground agitators
Most on McCarthy’s list not communists

26. McCarthy's persecution
McCarthy’s false accusations/unrelenting publicity:
Caused many to lose their jobs
Produced popular attacks/ judgment/accusations on others
Destroyed reputations

27. Hollywood blacklist
Mid-20th-century list of screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, composers, etc. denied employment because of political beliefs/associations, real or suspected

28. Hollywood blacklist Artists barred from work on basis of:
alleged membership in/ sympathy toward American Communist Party
involvement in liberal/ humanitarian political causes blacklist enforcers associated with communism
refusal to assist investigations into Communist Party activities

29. Hollywood blacklist
Caused direct damage to careers of many American artists
Lead to betrayal of friendships
Ruined personal/professional relationships
Promoted censorship across entire industry