1. McCarthyism and Life during the Cold War

2. Background McCarthy (Rep.) accused his opponent of being communistically inclined when he ran for Senate in 1946 Accused Democrats of protecting communists -called Sec. State Acheson a tool of Stalin -called former army chief staff & sec. state George Marshall of disloyalty and of conspiracy ***Charges never had proof

3. Red Scare Continues 1949 – Soviet Union tests the atomic bomb 1949 – China falls to communism It seemed like the US was losing the Cold War and that communists had infiltrated the US gov’t 1950 – WI Senator: “... I have here in my hand a list of 205 that were known … as being members of the Communist Party who … are still shaping the policy of the State Department.” AP and newspapers drew attention to this

4. McCarran Act McCarran Act (Internal Security Act) – communist groups must register w/ gov’t; communists could be arrested -made it illegal to “conspire” to create a totalitarian gov’t 1952 – McCarthy is now chair of investigation committee -used power of his committee to force testimonies -witch hunt – based on weak evidence and wild fears He damaged people’s reputations with vague and unfounded charges (= McCarthyism) -He badgered witnessed & refused to accept answers -People were afraid to challenge him (they didn’t want to become targets themselves

5. McCarthy goes Down 1954 – McCarthy started looking for Soviet spies in the US army Millions watched these Army-McCarthy hearings Army’s lawyer: “Until this moment, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or recklessness … You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir?” Senate votes to censure (formal disapproval) McCarthy -no power

6. Life During the Early Cold War Red Scare and spread of nuclear weapons had huge impact on American life in the 1950s. Americans were shocked when soviets tested the a- bomb in 1949 and H-bomb in 1953 Bomb shelters, drills: “duck & cover” -for every person who died from nuclear impact, 4 more would die from radiation (fallout) Some people built fallout shelters and stocked them with canned food

7. Popular Culture in Cold War Worries about nuclear war & communism soon found their way into TV, film, songs, & books Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (‘53) – cautions on how hysteria can lead to false accusations -critical of communist witch hunts Tomorrow – describes the horrible effects of the atomic bomb on an unprepared US city Hiroshima – first hand accounts of 6 survivors 1950s – a time of contrasts – Americans experiencing prosperity & optimism while also dealing with fears of communism and nuclear war