The McCarthy Trials A modern day witch hunt

McCarthyism  Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government.

The Alien Registration Act  passed by Congress on 29th June, 1940  made it illegal for anyone in the United States to advocate, aide, or teach the desirability of overthrowing the government.  The law also required all alien residents in the U.S. over 14 years of age to file statement of their personal and occupational status their political beliefs.  passed by Congress on 29th June, 1940  made it illegal for anyone in the United States to advocate, aide, or teach the desirability of overthrowing the government.  The law also required all alien residents in the U.S. over 14 years of age to file statement of their personal and occupational status their political beliefs.

Senator McCarthy  A senator from Wisconsin  He accused hundreds of politician, writers, directors, entertainers, and homosexuals of communist affiliation  Made it clear to witnesses that the only way to show allegiance to U.S. was to name names of others in the communist party  His trials were highly publicized and ruined many careers  A senator from Wisconsin  He accused hundreds of politician, writers, directors, entertainers, and homosexuals of communist affiliation  Made it clear to witnesses that the only way to show allegiance to U.S. was to name names of others in the communist party  His trials were highly publicized and ruined many careers

The House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)  The objective was to undermine the American communist party  Established in 1938 by congress under Martin Dies to investigate unpatriotic behavior  In 1947 J. Parnell Thomas began an investigation into the Hollywood Motion Picture Association  The objective was to undermine the American communist party  Established in 1938 by congress under Martin Dies to investigate unpatriotic behavior  In 1947 J. Parnell Thomas began an investigation into the Hollywood Motion Picture Association

“Friendly Witnesses”  The HUAC interviewed 41 people who were working in Hollywood.  These people attended voluntarily and became known as "friendly witnesses".  During their interviews they named nineteen people who they accused of holding left-wing views.  Ten of these nineteen people refused to name names to save themselves. They became known as the “Hollywood Ten”  The HUAC interviewed 41 people who were working in Hollywood.  These people attended voluntarily and became known as "friendly witnesses".  During their interviews they named nineteen people who they accused of holding left-wing views.  Ten of these nineteen people refused to name names to save themselves. They became known as the “Hollywood Ten”

The Red Channels  June 1950: a pamphlet listing 151 names of writers, directors, and actors who were alleged communists  These people were blacklisted until they were cleared by HUAC  Anyone who refused to name names for HUAC was blacklisted by Hollywood studios  June 1950: a pamphlet listing 151 names of writers, directors, and actors who were alleged communists  These people were blacklisted until they were cleared by HUAC  Anyone who refused to name names for HUAC was blacklisted by Hollywood studios

Arthur Miller  Used his personal moral and political convictions to write over 30 stage plays and screen plays  Won a Pulitzer prize for his outstanding efforts  Was convicted of contempt of congress for not naming names to HUAC  Conviction was overturned a year later  Used his personal moral and political convictions to write over 30 stage plays and screen plays  Won a Pulitzer prize for his outstanding efforts  Was convicted of contempt of congress for not naming names to HUAC  Conviction was overturned a year later

The Crucible ." The Crucible, which premiered in 1953, is a fictionalization of the Salem witch-hunts of 1692, but it also deals in an allegorical manner with the House Un-American Activities Committee.