Business Any missing work in before/on Thursday Homework due Domestic issues of 1950s Quiz Thursday No writing Any missing work in before/on Thursday

American Life in the 1950s

How did the Cold War change society and culture in America? How did fear play a part in everyday American lives? (domestic)

1950s WWII over- America has new enemy Russia Allies in war to defeat Germany Americans don’t trust or like Communists (foreign or American)

Protagonists vs Antagonists

Protagonists vs Antagonists

Red Scare (1950s) Red Scare- period of fear/paranoia of Communists Spy hunting Hiss- accused of spying Nixon pursued charges Rosenbergs- accused of sending information 1949- Soviets explode an atomic bomb Suspicion of leaked secrets Found guilty of espionage, executed

Fear of Communists The House Un-American Activities Committee in Congress formed in 1938 HUAC Investigated “subversive organizations” and communists in America “witch hunt”

HUAC & the Hollywood 10 1947- HUAC looked at the film industry for Communist influence Called on writers, actors, directors to testify about their political beliefs 10 refused, saying the 5th Amendment protected them

HUAC & the Hollywood 10 The 10 were convicted by Congress Heads of movie studios created a blacklist- people thought to be Communists, and could no longer work in film

Fear of Communists Senator Joseph McCarthy- head of the Government Committee on Operations of the Senate Used power to search for “Communist subversives” Though he never made solid cases against people, his accusation could lose someone their job No real evidence

“McCarthyism” In Cold War: persecution of people suspected of Communist activity Today: publicly accusing someone of subversive activities without evidence

McCarthyism in America More fear- Laws didn’t get passed (in case they could be seen as Communist) Teachers had to sign loyalty oaths or lose jobs Citizens didn’t speak out against injustices

End of McCarthy 1954- McCarthy accused the Army and President Eisenhower of being “soft on Communism” The Army-McCarthy hearings were televised Public opinion quickly turned and he fell from power

Fear of Nuclear War Threat of atomic war Prevalent throughout society Why was this present in the 50s? Prevalent throughout society Work Homes School

Fear of Losing to Russia Conflict / Competition: International power Ideas Technology US vs. Russia Democracy vs. Communism

Fear of Losing to USSR Conflict / Competition: International influence Lifestyle Ideology Technology

1.Communists 2. Nuclear War 3. Losing to Russia Fear in America 1.Communists 2. Nuclear War 3. Losing to Russia

Exit Slip: 1950s vs Now Answer the following questions in full sentences: Who was the US afraid of in the 1950s? What did that fear look like? (details) Who is the US afraid of today? What does that fear look like?