The Cold War at Home During the late 1940s and early 1950s, fear of communism leads to reckless charges against innocent citizens. “He May Be A Communist” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeZ5SKXvj8 Question: What particular fears about communism are expressed in the video?

Anti-Communist fear gripped the country. The Cold War at Home Four examples of how anti-Communist fear gripped the country. HUAC investigates un-American activities in government and Hollywood. Spy cases increase fears. Anti-Communist fear gripped the country. Congress passes the McCarran Act. McCarthy arouses fear of a Communist conspiracy.

Fear of Communist Influence American Sentiments Communist takeover of Eastern Europe and China fuel fear of its spread 100,000 in U.S. Communist Party at height of WW2 (decreases drastically after the war); some fear that those party members may be loyal to U.S.S.R. Loyalty Review Board Truman accused of being soft on Communism Sets up Federal Employee Loyalty Program to investigate employees 1947–1951 loyalty boards investigate 3.2 million, dismiss 212 (some refuse to be investigated on Constitutional grounds, no one accused was permitted to see any of the evidence against them).

Fear of Communist Influence (cont’d) The House Un-American Activities Committee • House Un-American Activities Committee investigates Communist ties • Investigates Communist influence in movie industry • Hollywood Ten refuse to testify, sent to prison • Hollywood blacklist—people with Communist ties, cannot get work Red Scare and HUAC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sgom1snPaQ The McCarran Internal Security Act (1950) Act—unlawful to plan action that might lead to totalitarianism Truman vetoes, says violates free thought; Congress overrides veto

Spy Cases Stun the Nation Alger Hiss (1948) • Alger Hiss accused of spying for Soviet Union; convicted of perjury • Congressman Richard Nixon gains fame for pursuing charges (elected as V.P under Eisenhower within four years) The Rosenbergs • 1949, Soviets explode atomic bomb sooner than expected • Physicist Klaus Fuchs admits giving information about U.S. bomb • Ethel, Julius Rosenberg, minor Communist Party activists, implicated in the passing of information from Fuchs to Soviet agents • Rosenbergs sentenced to death; Supreme Court upholds conviction Serious issues surrounding circumstantial evidence and anti- Semitism were noted in the case

McCarthy Launches His “Witch Hunt” McCarthy’s Tactics • Senator Joseph McCarthy was a fanatical anti-Communist activist • Ineffective legislator; needs issue to win reelection • McCarthyism—attacking suspected Communists without evidence • McCarthy claims Communists in State Department • Few Republicans speak out; think he has winning strategy for 1952

McCarthy Launches His “Witch Hunt” (cont’d) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsnolpHr0A McCarthy Launches His “Witch Hunt” (cont’d) McCarthy’s Downfall 1954, McCarthy accuses members of U.S. Army Televised hearings show him bullying witnesses Loses public support; Senate condemns him for improper conduct “It’s History” – Joe McCarthy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsnolpHr0A Other Anti-Communist Measures States, towns forbid speech favoring violent overthrow of government Millions forced to take loyalty oaths, are investigated People become afraid to speak out on public issues Union members persecuted, but no profession seemed to be safe from investigation (journalists, librarians, scientists)

Discussion Questions: The Cold War at Home Discussion Questions: If you had lived in this period and had been accused of being a Communist, what would you have done? Think About: • the Hollywood Ten • the Rosenbergs 2) Discuss any inconsistencies you notice between what are traditionally considered to be “American values” and the treatment of American civilians during the early Cold War. 3) What similarities or connections can you make between the “Red Scare/McCarthy” era and other periods/events in U.S. history?