The Witch Hunt The Witch HuntofMcCarthyism
Cold War Communist spies- no accents, looked like us Communism unknown – therefore evil
Cold War Atomic espionage 1949 Russia gets bomb
Allies jockeyed for power Josef Stalin over FDR Soviet domination of eastern Europe Communist China’s civil war victory
Allies jockeyed for power Start of Korean war in 1950 NATO vs. Warsaw pact
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Alger Hiss
Threat to Democratic Life Communist infiltration organized labor, Federal government, Hollywood Hollywood Mistrust, suspicion, paranoia
CPUSA – 80,000 members Liberals and intellectuals Leadership loyal, regular members not really “Brink of communist takeover”
American Communist Party Supported same causes Plight of the forgotten man “Haves” vs “Have-nots” Superman saves miners
Daily Life Changed “Duck and Cover”
1947 – HUAC vs. Hollywood “Are you or have you ever been…” Refused to admit or name names Held in contempt of congress 324 people fired for Hollywood studios
“The Hollywood Ten”
CFA – “Committee for the First Amendment” Hollywood liberals Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Huston Gene Kelly
Loyalty oaths for Federal employees Truman “Soft on Communism” 3 million checked Legal rights violated Fears grew
Anti-communist themes “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” “Red Menace” Radiotelevision
Red Scare and comics Disney used animals to caricature the feelings Captain America
Joseph McCarthy A synonym for irresponsibly Women’s Club – 1950 Wheeling, West Virginia List with names Supported by fear
Chairman of Senate hearings Supported by congress, unquestioned power
Unchecked Power
Edward R. Murrow “See It Now” Took on McCarthy Unflattering light McCarthy’s own words
Downfall of McCarthy Roy Cohn David Schine drafted Secure “special privileges” Army released documents Schine ‘held hostage’ so he couldn’t testify against Communists in army
McCarthy – Army Hearings
T.V. cameras were allowed in the hearings 36 days, 188 hours Hearings going badly for McCarthy Accuses Welch aid Joseph Welch - Army’s lawyer
“Until this moment, senator, I think I never gauged your cruelty or recklessness… Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you no sense of decency?”
No charges filed against anyone in the Army Senate censured McCarthy Power was gone McCarthy died three years later
McCarthy and the Salem girls Craved power, attention, fame More they accused, the bigger the lie got Spread mass hysteria Held power over people’s lives
McCarthy parallels Salem Exaggerated and exploited evidence Ruined reputations and lives Accused used as scapegoats – society’s problems Escape punishment – admit guilt
Society became scared and suspicious Whole town wrapped up in lies and conspiracy McCarthy used the already fear of communism Anyone who questioned them, they themselves were accused
McCarthyism on on American Lifestyle
Promoting “The American” Way of Life
Television Fastest growing medium 75% in 1946 – 90% in 1960 TV Guide - #1 selling magazine Family togetherness
Conformity and Consumerism Ideal family setting Gender roles American life intact “Father Knows Best”
What we got was – a bland menu quiz shows westerns family comedies No controversy T.V. world - perfect
Endangering the “moral fiber” Not conforming Full-time housewife American Housewife-
Art Imitates Life “The Wild Ones”
Indictment of American fear Doing nothing while others stood up 1952 – “High Noon”
Dalton Trumbo – most famous and talented 30 Seconds Over Tokyo Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell The Brave One * Bridge on the River Kwai * Roman Holiday * The Sandpiper HawaiiExodusSpartacus Johnny Got His Gun Executive Action Papillon
Miller- Interested in the tragedy of people who, under social pressure, lose their integrity Many lost their sense of decency and community when they went along with the crowd to Continue persecution of the innocent.