1. McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare
American Cold War Culture and Law

2. Senator Joseph McCarthy
Wisconsin Republican facing defeat in election of 1950
Turns to a platform of anti-Communism

3. 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.”

4. The McCarran Act Formal name: The Internal Security Act
Requires communist organizations to register with the Subversive Activities Control Board
Authorizes the arrest of suspect persons during national emergency
Six concentration camps
built for this purpose

5. The Immigration and Nationality Act
Another McCarran authored law
Barred people who were deemed either “subversive” or “homosexual” from becoming citizens or even visiting the U.S.
Power to deport immigrants who were members of the Communist Party, even if they were citizens
In effect until 1973

6. Definition of McCarthyism
The fear, suspicion, and scapegoating that surrounded McCarthy, his accusations and the general curtailment of civil rights during the Cold War era.

7. Examples of McCarthyism
In NYC, citizens must take loyalty oath to receive a fishing license
FDR’s New Deal is re-evaluated as “a socialist conspiracy” and “20 years of treason”
Jonas Salk invents vaccine for Polio; a congressman suggests that it be distributed to all school-age children for free. Eisenhower’s Secretary of Health rejects the idea as an attempt to “socialize medicine through the backdoor.”

8. House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC)
Subcommittee of the House of Representatives
Purpose: To root out “subversion” of the American system
The Question: “Are you now or
have you ever been a member of
the Communist Party?”