The McCarthy Era Late-1940’s to Early-1950’s United States of America Dianna MacDonald & Angela Iozzo

A Brief History After the Soviets detonated their first atomic bomb and communism became commonplace in China in 1949, many Americans feared a communist takeover in the United States. This time was known as the second Red Scare, and later, the McCarthy Era.

Senator Joseph McCarthy Republican Senator from Wisconsin. Republican Senator from Wisconsin. Accused the Truman administration of protecting communists. Accused the Truman administration of protecting communists. His charisma added to the believability of his claims. His charisma added to the believability of his claims.

McCarthy Gains Momentum McCarthy led an anti- homosexual campaign in the late 1940’s, resulting in the average dismissal of five gay government workers a month. McCarthy led an anti- homosexual campaign in the late 1940’s, resulting in the average dismissal of five gay government workers a month. During 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of 57 names of registered communists who worked for the federal government. During 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of 57 names of registered communists who worked for the federal government.

The Media’s Impact McCarthy’s important status, as well as his influence in the media, helped propel the anti- communist movement in the United States. McCarthy’s important status, as well as his influence in the media, helped propel the anti- communist movement in the United States. The media took advantage of McCarthy’s claims, and forced fear upon Americans, using communists as a vessel for nuclear warfare and world takeover. The media took advantage of McCarthy’s claims, and forced fear upon Americans, using communists as a vessel for nuclear warfare and world takeover.

The “Hollywood Blacklist” In June of 1950, McCarthy started a list of over 150 prominent actors and entertainers who had communist affiliations. The national fear of communism encouraged the media to publicize the information, reciprocally ruining several careers. Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor Charlie Chaplin, actor Charlie Chaplin, actor Aaron Copland, composer Aaron Copland, composer Jules Dassin, director Jules Dassin, director Howard Da Silva, actor Howard Da Silva, actor

Posters and Pamphlets Posters and pamphlets were a popular form of promoting anti-communist agendas during the McCarthy Era.

Anti-Communist Broadcasts “Make Mine Freedom” Make Mine FreedomMake Mine Freedom This cartoon was first aired in 1948, and was meant to educate adults and children about the negative effects of communism. This cartoon was first aired in 1948, and was meant to educate adults and children about the negative effects of communism. In addition, the cartoon promoted capitalism. In addition, the cartoon promoted capitalism.

Contemporary McCarthyism The media is still uses McCarthyism today to make unfair accusations of certain groups of people. The media is still uses McCarthyism today to make unfair accusations of certain groups of people. This political cartoon uses McCarthyism to make negative accusations toward Muslims and anyone who might practice Islam. This political cartoon uses McCarthyism to make negative accusations toward Muslims and anyone who might practice Islam.

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