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The Reds are invading Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b.

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Presentation on theme: "The Reds are invading Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Reds are invading Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b

2 The Second Red Scare Feared that Communism would take over the world Feared that Communism would take over the world 1949 – China becomes Communist 1949 – China becomes Communist 1949 – Russia builds their own nuclear bomb 1949 – Russia builds their own nuclear bomb 1950 – Communist North Korea tries to defeat South Korea and the U.S. 1950 – Communist North Korea tries to defeat South Korea and the U.S. NK receives military and financial help from the Soviet Union and China NK receives military and financial help from the Soviet Union and China

3 Communism in America Great Depression - Americans joined the Communist Party, Great Depression - Americans joined the Communist Party, legal organization legal organization During and after WWII, the economy improved During and after WWII, the economy improved Trust Stalin (No Way!!!) Trust Stalin (No Way!!!) Communists quit their support of the party Communists quit their support of the party pasts came back to haunt them pasts came back to haunt them

4 Loyalty Programs Federal Employee Loyalty Program in 1947 Federal Employee Loyalty Program in 1947 New government employees were checked for possible disloyalty New government employees were checked for possible disloyalty Accusation enough to get someone fired or prevented from getting a job Accusation enough to get someone fired or prevented from getting a job Millions were investigated, several hundred removed from their jobs, few arrests Millions were investigated, several hundred removed from their jobs, few arrests Pledge of Allegiance????

5 Communist Spies in America Alger Hiss Alger Hiss State Department official State Department official accused of being a spy – convicted of perjury (lying to the court) accused of being a spy – convicted of perjury (lying to the court) Ethel and Julius Rosenberg Ethel and Julius Rosenberg accused of passing atomic secrets accused of passing atomic secrets convicted and then executed in 1953 convicted and then executed in 1953 Recently released secret Soviet records indicate that Hiss and Julius Rosenberg were guilty, while Ethel was probably innocent Recently released secret Soviet records indicate that Hiss and Julius Rosenberg were guilty, while Ethel was probably innocent

6 H.U.A.C. The House Un-Americans Activities Committee The House Un-Americans Activities Committee investigated Communist infiltration of Government agencies and the Hollywood movie industry investigated Communist infiltration of Government agencies and the Hollywood movie industry Many in Hollywood used to be, or still were Communists Many in Hollywood used to be, or still were Communists Hollywood & Government encouragement, had even made pro-Soviet Union films during the war Hollywood & Government encouragement, had even made pro-Soviet Union films during the war Uncle Joe was considered to be a friend of America Uncle Joe was considered to be a friend of America

7 Hollywood writers and directors were called before the Committee Hollywood writers and directors were called before the Committee Witnesses made outrageous and unsubstantiated accusations Witnesses made outrageous and unsubstantiated accusations “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Hollywood 10 refused to answer any questions, Hollywood 10 refused to answer any questions, invoking their Constitutional Rights invoking their Constitutional Rights They had to serve jail terms for 6 months to a year They had to serve jail terms for 6 months to a year Movie studios compiled a blacklist Movie studios compiled a blacklist Names who should not be hired because of possible Communist ties Names who should not be hired because of possible Communist ties or because they opposed the idea of a blacklist or because they opposed the idea of a blacklist

8 The Texas State Legislature made it a felony to belong to the Communist Party – up to 20 years in prison The Texas State Legislature made it a felony to belong to the Communist Party – up to 20 years in prison The Texas Governor threatened to veto the bill – he thought the punishment should have been death The Texas Governor threatened to veto the bill – he thought the punishment should have been death In New York city, citizens had to pledge their loyalty for a fishing license In New York city, citizens had to pledge their loyalty for a fishing license In Indiana, professional wrestlers were required to take a loyalty oath In Indiana, professional wrestlers were required to take a loyalty oath In 1954, it became illegal to be a Communist – the bill passed Congress by a combined vote of 365 – 2 In 1954, it became illegal to be a Communist – the bill passed Congress by a combined vote of 365 – 2 Examples

9 Joseph McCarthy Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b

10 Joseph McCarthy A. “Tailgunner Joe” Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin elected 1946 Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin elected 1946 1950 feared reelection in 1952 1950 feared reelection in 1952 “Tailgunner Joe”: WWII vet, but a low level paper pusher in intelligence “Tailgunner Joe”: WWII vet, but a low level paper pusher in intelligence Ideas against Communism Ideas against Communism Opposed public housing (in support of real estate cos.) Opposed public housing (in support of real estate cos.) Publicly defended Nazi war criminals on trial for death (to woo German Americans Publicly defended Nazi war criminals on trial for death (to woo German Americans

11 Red-Baiting to Power Feb. 1950: Wheeling, WV, speech before Women’s Republican Club Feb. 1950: Wheeling, WV, speech before Women’s Republican Club Reason for US impotence in containment: Reason for US impotence in containment: traitors collaborating w/enemy, traitors collaborating w/enemy, State Department overrun w/Communist spies State Department overrun w/Communist spies Holds up a piece of paper and claims “205 names” Holds up a piece of paper and claims “205 names” # came from a HUAC list of accused officials # came from a HUAC list of accused officials

12 Appeal of McCarthyism for Public 1. Appealed to a variety of fears (catch-all all negative changes after WWII: women, blacks, union activism, economic slump), never able to point to a specific action: accusations empty, but seemed to have substance 1. Appealed to a variety of fears (catch-all all negative changes after WWII: women, blacks, union activism, economic slump), never able to point to a specific action: accusations empty, but seemed to have substance 2. Americans wanted to believe (conspiracy mind-set helps to make sense of a complicated world) 2. Americans wanted to believe (conspiracy mind-set helps to make sense of a complicated world) 3. Anti-communism had deep roots in American history and psyche (always more concerned about the Left than the Right; 1st Red Scare) 3. Anti-communism had deep roots in American history and psyche (always more concerned about the Left than the Right; 1st Red Scare)

13 The End of McCarthy In the end, presented a list of only 9 names (and only 4 in State Dept.) to Senate Committee  denounced as a fraud and hoax In the end, presented a list of only 9 names (and only 4 in State Dept.) to Senate Committee  denounced as a fraud and hoax Saved when chief opponent, Millard Tydings (D. MD) lost seat in election  “proof” of power Saved when chief opponent, Millard Tydings (D. MD) lost seat in election  “proof” of power With election of Ike in ’52, Republicans hoped he would give it up (almost no one really believed there were spies  election year tactic): didn’t With election of Ike in ’52, Republicans hoped he would give it up (almost no one really believed there were spies  election year tactic): didn’t

14 The Downfall of McCarthy Famous broadcaster Edward R. Murrow publicly challenged McCarthy’s character and accusation on his national television show Famous broadcaster Edward R. Murrow publicly challenged McCarthy’s character and accusation on his national television show McCarthy charged members of the Army of being Communist sympathizers – he had gone too far McCarthy charged members of the Army of being Communist sympathizers – he had gone too far Millions of Americans watched McCarthy crumble in the Army- McCarthy hearings over a span of several weeks Millions of Americans watched McCarthy crumble in the Army- McCarthy hearings over a span of several weeks The word McCarthyism has come to mean unfair and untrue accusations to make a person look bad The word McCarthyism has come to mean unfair and untrue accusations to make a person look bad


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