Chapter 18 Section 3 Notes The Cold War in the U.S. after WWII

Leadership afraid of Communism Spreading to U.S. Who is most concerned? People with the most to lose Government Business Owners Media Rich People Why were they scared? Became popular elsewhere Eastern Europe China Korea Did U.S. have “communists”? Less than 100,000 members Not a real threat Still… a fear they would “try something”

U.S. Gov. Takes Action Federal Employee Loyalty Program (1947) Investigated govt. employees for “Communist ties” If you were in 1 of 90 different organizations, you were fired. Govt. did not need to show the evidence they had against you Very little “real” impact Around 3.2 million checked Around 200 fired Around 3,000 quit 1st Amendment

House Un-American Activities Committee Ten refused to testify House Un-American Activities Committee U.S. Congress investigated movie industry for “Communist ties” Had public hearings on TV featuring famous people Argued Communist propaganda was intentionally put in some films Some people questioned supported this Ten refused to testify (Hollywood 10) Sent to prison Hollywood executives blacklisted other people Wouldn’t give work to suspected Communists Paul Robeson (actor, civil rights activist)

McCarran Act Illegal for anyone to promote the establishment of a dictatorship in the U.S. Truman vetoes it, but Congress overrides him. “It’s ok, we’re hunting Communists!”

Communism on Trial 2 Major Cases

Alger Hiss Case High ranking U.S. govt. official Accused of spying on U.S. for Soviets during WWII by a Soviet spy in custody Found guilty of perjury means lying under oath… not spying Richard Nixon member of House of Reps led push for his prosecution Made him famous VP about 4 years later Eventually President

The Rosenberg Case Married couple accused of passing information about the development of the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union from a German – born physicist (Klaus Fuchs) that worked on the bomb here in the U.S. during WWII active in the American Communist party Took the 5th Amendment at their trial. Very little evidence against them Found guilty of espionage and sentenced to death Rosenberg’s 2 kids with Ethel’s mother 8 months after their death

McCarthyism (1950-1954) Panic started by (Republican) Senator Joseph McCarthy Said Communists were taking over the govt. Claimed to have over 200 names No names ever given Said Democrats allowed this to happen Political! = intended to help Republicans Works well for a while Little evidence that anything was wrong People bought into the idea though A lot of interest by public and media Ends after he accuses Communist influence in the U.S. military Investigation on TV made him look bad Nobody found guilty, movement fizzles out

Anti Communist Propaganda during McCarthyism

McCarthyism’s Impact on the U.S. 39 states pass laws making it illegal to support the overthrow of the U.S. Govt. Lots of local govts. do the same thing these laws were later found unconstitutional A bunch of govt. investigations of different areas Reporters, Union Leaders, Scientists, Schools, etc… Very few people found guilty All this costs tax $ Causes and Effects Copy Chart in Book