1. Dot, No Dot
1. How did you feel when you discovered you had a blank paper? A dot?
2. What methods did you use to determine who had a dot?
3. For those who were dots, how did you convince others you were not a dot?
4. For those who were accused of being a “dot” how did you feel? What made you fearful or suspicious?
5. Given that there was no way to know for sure who was or was not a “dot,” why did you try so hard to convince others that certain class members were “dots?”
What emotions fueled this activity? Can you think of any time in history when something like this occurred?

2. The Birth of McCarthyism
The Second Red Scare

3. Fear of Communism in the US
Fear of Soviet sympathizers and spies
Not just “reds” but the “pinks” who would gradually lead the country to communism
Loyalty Review Board – guarantee the “unswerving loyalty” of all employees of Fed Gov
House of Un-American Activities (HUAC)
Established in 1938 to investigate fascists now investigating commies

4. Commie Hunting Results
HUAC
Movie Industry – investigated on alleged communist activity and established blacklist
Alger Hiss (State Department) accused of giving official documents to Whittaker Chambers ( former member of communist party)
Rosenbergs – convicted of passing
secrets to Soviets about bomb and
executed 1953

5. Joseph McCarthy 1950 little known Wisconsin Senator
CO MMIES EVERYWHERE!- his accusations triggered a national anti-communist crusade
The Charges claimed he had a list of 205 State Dept employees who were members of the communist party (never produced names but kept accusations going for 2 years)
Eventually went too far accusing Army and Eisenhower of being soft on communism and was censored 1954

6. Real Communists? 1946- 45,000 Mid 50’s- 5,000
Lawmaking – laws passed to curb communist threat
Texas – membership in Communist Party = 20 years in prison
New York - loyalty oaths to obtain fishing license
Indian – loyalty oaths required for professional wrestlers to obtain a license to wrestle
Congress passed Communist Control Act 1954 – membership in communist party illegal
“Un-American” books banned from schools and teachers had to take loyalty oath

7. Debrief How does McCarthyism affect Americans in the 1950’s?
How does McCarthyism relate to Democratic Values?
Do we still fear communism today?