1. RED SCARE Do Now: How do you know when you can trust someone?

2. DOT GAME 1. Students pick a small piece of paper from a plastic bag. Some of the pieces of paper have a red dot on them while most of the pieces are blank. Students are not to reveal what is on their piece of paper to anyone else. 2. The object of the “game” is for the students to create the largest group possible without any red dots. They may question each other as they form groups, but they must not show their paper. The largest group without a member with a red dot wins. Any person who holds a red dot and has infiltrated a group wins. 3. The purpose of the “game” is for the students to experience some of the suspicions associated with the McCarthy Era.

3. Discussion Questions  Who was McCarthy and for what is he remembered?  What motivated McCarthy?  What groups of people did McCarthy find suspicious?  What impact did McCarthy’s allegations have on those accused?  Some objected to McCarthy’s lists and investigations. Why?  What impact did McCarthy have on America?

4. Was the reaction to Communism in the U.S. reasonable or fueled by paranoia?

6. 1. A New Red Scare  Government intervention Loyalty review program – screened federal employees HUAC- House Un-American Activities Committee ○ J. Edgar Hoover went before the House telling them that we had to expose Communists and isolate them McCarran Act (Internal Security Act) – made it illegal to contribute to any establishment of a totalitarian gov’t; targeted Communists Alger Hiss The Rosenbergs Hollywood 10

7. 2. “A Conspiracy So Immense”  Senator Joseph McCarthy Turned investigation into a witch hunt Flimsy evidence, irrational fears Damaged reputations

8. 3. McCarthy’s Downfall  Accused U.S. Army which resulted in a nationally televised Senate investigation  McCarthy’s Bullying cost him public support and Senate condemned him for improper conduct.  39 states had passed laws making it illegal to advocate the violent overthrow of the government.  Ex: Indiana professional Wrestlers had to take loyalty Oath and pedestrians on the street refused to sign petitions that quoted the Declaration of Independence because they were afraid the ideas were communist  No profession was safe from the hunt for Communists!  How is this different from a witch hunt???

14. 4. Facing the Bomb  Americans shocked and scared of Soviet atomic tests Hydrogen bomb tested by Soviets in 1953  Americans prepared for surprise attack…

15. Bomb shelters…

16. Duck and Cover drills…

17. Fallout shelters to protect from radiation

18. 5. Popular Culture  Time of contrasts: fear of Soviet and Communist infiltration/threat of atomic attack VS. postwar prosperity

19. Atomic Cafe 1. How did the fear of atomic bombs affect ordinary people’s lives? 2. Do you think efforts to prepare and protect people from the atomic bomb di them more harm or good? Why?