Cold War Spies and the Rise of Joseph McCarthy Spies Among Us? Cold War Spies and the Rise of Joseph McCarthy

Today’s Objective After today’s lesson, students will be able to… Discuss the legitimacy of the communist threat in the 1950s and how the U.S. handled such threats Essential Skill Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

Caution! Possible Infiltration! 1) You will receive a slip of paper. It will either have a dot on it or it will be blank DO NOT SHOW ANYONE YOUR SLIP OF PAPER NOR TELL ANYONE WHAT IS/ISN’T ON YOUR PAPER 2) Your goal is to try to form the largest group of studetns without someone who has a dot. The largest “dot free” group will be rewarded If you have a dot, your pleasure is in trying to deny others a reward by trying to infiltrate their group

Caution! Possible Infiltration 3) You must rely on questioning and/or suspicion in determining who has a dot and who does not. You may not examine each other’s papers. 4) Pay close attention to – and be prepared to discuss – your strategy in deciding who has a dot and who does not have a dot.

Discussion Questions How did you decide who had (or didn’t have) a “dot?” Were you correct? Did you lie during the game? Reflect on your thoughts and/or feelings during the time you were forming groups. What is the connection between this activity and the Cold War unit?

How did fear of domestic communism affect American society during the Cold War?

How should we balance Collective Security with Individual Rights (Civil Liberties)?

The Red Scare: Hysteria In the 1950s, communism was not an imagined enemy, it had concrete shape in the form of the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin Many hindrances were encountered in America’s fight against communism The Korean deadlock The defeat of China The development of the Atomic bomb by the Soviets People were searching for somebody to blame and many were drawn to the suggestion of a communist conspiracy among the American nation

The Red Scare: Hysteria Continued State and local governments, the judiciary, schools and universities, labor unions – all sought to rid themselves of real or imagined subversives Not only was the fear of communism in the air, but also the fear of being suspected of ties with communists

Anti-Communist Efforts 1940 Smith Act focused on Communists Truman’s 1947 Executive Order 9835 (Federal Employee Loyalty Program House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings Hollywood Ten

Senator Joseph McCarthy Critics suggest McCarthy was desperate for a winning issue on which to run in 1952

McCarthyism Characterized by uncontrollable and unproven accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents No one was able to bash McCarthy without the risk of being called a communist spy or sympathizer Even President Eisenhower remained silent

McCarthy Hearings

“I have a list of 205… …I mean 81 …or, uh 57 known communists in the State Department”

American Subversives Everywhere! Klaus Fuchs Alger Hiss Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

McCarthy’s Downfall 1954: McCarthy accuses US Army of harboring spies Army accuses McCarthy of trying to protect an assistant from the draft Hearing is televised McCarthy looks like a rude bully Loses public favor "Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" - Joseph Welch, lead counsel for US Army

McCarthy’s Downfall Continued No longer was McCarthy invincible or an asset Senate votes 67-22 to censure (condemn) McCarty for contemptuous behavior McCarthy dies in 1957, a broke alcoholic, but his legacy survives…

In what ways does this political cartoon represent McCarthyism In what ways does this political cartoon represent McCarthyism? Be specific

In what ways does this political cartoon represent McCarthyism In what ways does this political cartoon represent McCarthyism? Be specific

Reflection Do you think McCarthy’s tactics are effective in today’s society? Explain your reasoning