1. The Space Race, Arthur Miller, Communism, and McCarthyism

2. Sputnik I For a 184-pound aluminum sphere that spent just three months in orbit and didn't do much more than emit radio beeps, Sputnik I was ONE big deal. For a 184-pound aluminum sphere that spent just three months in orbit and didn't do much more than emit radio beeps, Sputnik I was ONE big deal. Blasted into space at the height of the Cold War on Oct. 4, 1957, Sputnik was Earth's first artificial satellite. To an America that considered itself technological wizard numero uno, the news was a jolt. Blasted into space at the height of the Cold War on Oct. 4, 1957, Sputnik was Earth's first artificial satellite. To an America that considered itself technological wizard numero uno, the news was a jolt. By demonstrating an ominous -- but short-lived -- Soviet lead in rocketry, Sputnik intensified the terror over nuclear annihilation. Coming at a time when science -- and its products like penicillin, radar and the atomic bomb -- was credited with helping win World War II, Sputnik raised the prospect that Red scientists might win the Cold War. By demonstrating an ominous -- but short-lived -- Soviet lead in rocketry, Sputnik intensified the terror over nuclear annihilation. Coming at a time when science -- and its products like penicillin, radar and the atomic bomb -- was credited with helping win World War II, Sputnik raised the prospect that Red scientists might win the Cold War.

3. Communism Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a future classless, stateless, social organization; based upon common ownership of the means of production. Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a future classless, stateless, social organization; based upon common ownership of the means of production. To fathom the alarm over Sputnik, you must understand the times. World communism was the wave of the future. China had gone communist in 1949. The Soviets had dominated Eastern Europe and recently exploded a hydrogen bomb. To fathom the alarm over Sputnik, you must understand the times. World communism was the wave of the future. China had gone communist in 1949. The Soviets had dominated Eastern Europe and recently exploded a hydrogen bomb. Now, Sputnik I put the Soviets first with the fastest rocket on Earth. "People were tremendously worried about the bomb, that it would destroy the world, and now the Russians had the capacity to deliver bombs anywhere in the United States." Now, Sputnik I put the Soviets first with the fastest rocket on Earth. "People were tremendously worried about the bomb, that it would destroy the world, and now the Russians had the capacity to deliver bombs anywhere in the United States."

4. Education Sputnik did not initiate the debate in the United States about the quality of schooling, but it did fuel the movement for curriculum reform. It mobilized school districts to upgrade courses, add requirements for science and math, and buy new course materials. Sputnik did not initiate the debate in the United States about the quality of schooling, but it did fuel the movement for curriculum reform. It mobilized school districts to upgrade courses, add requirements for science and math, and buy new course materials. The little satellite that could also gave university professors and scientists a chance to contribute to education policy and curriculum. Eager to update teaching methods, social scientists brought new understanding of learning processes, inventing new ways to teach biology, the physical sciences and mathematics. Meanwhile, their colleagues in the hard sciences began an emphasis on laboratory science that continues today, urging that a hands-on approach to science replace rote learning. The little satellite that could also gave university professors and scientists a chance to contribute to education policy and curriculum. Eager to update teaching methods, social scientists brought new understanding of learning processes, inventing new ways to teach biology, the physical sciences and mathematics. Meanwhile, their colleagues in the hard sciences began an emphasis on laboratory science that continues today, urging that a hands-on approach to science replace rote learning.

5. The Race to Space For over a decade, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a heated competition—the space race. The space race began in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. The Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and the American presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon all agreed that conquering outer space was very important. Both countries wanted to win—to prove their scientific superiority and to show their military strength. For over a decade, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a heated competition—the space race. The space race began in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. The Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and the American presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon all agreed that conquering outer space was very important. Both countries wanted to win—to prove their scientific superiority and to show their military strength.

6. The Soviets Were Winning 1957 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite. "Sputnik" is the Russian word for "Traveler.“ 1957 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite. "Sputnik" is the Russian word for "Traveler.“ 1958 The United States launches its first satellite, Explorer I. 1958 The United States launches its first satellite, Explorer I. 1958 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed in the United States. NASA is the federal agency devoted to exploring space. 1958 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed in the United States. NASA is the federal agency devoted to exploring space. 1959 The Soviet Union launches Luna 2. This is the first space probe to hit the moon. 1959 The Soviet Union launches Luna 2. This is the first space probe to hit the moon. 1961 Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin becomes the first person to orbit the Earth. 1961 Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin becomes the first person to orbit the Earth. 1961 Alan Shepard, Jr. becomes the first American astronaut in space. 1961 Alan Shepard, Jr. becomes the first American astronaut in space. 1962 John Glenn, Jr. becomes the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. 1962 John Glenn, Jr. becomes the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. 1963 The first woman in space is Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. 1963 The first woman in space is Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.

7. The U.S. Jumps Ahead 1968 The United States launches Apollo 8, the first manned space mission to orbit the moon. 1968 The United States launches Apollo 8, the first manned space mission to orbit the moon. 1969 U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins make it to the moon. Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon and was followed by Buzz Aldrin. 1969 U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins make it to the moon. Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon and was followed by Buzz Aldrin. By reaching the moon first, the United States won the space race. Soviet and U.S. leaders knew that being the first country to land on the moon would be an extremely important media event. The world watched each country’s progress with great interest. Scientists and government leaders in both countries were under intense pressure to meet tough deadlines.

8. The History Channel Videos Space Race video Space Race video Space Race video Space Race video

9. Joseph McCarthy Joseph Raymond McCarthy (1908 - 1957) was a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin between 1947 and 1957. Between 1950 and 1954, McCarthy became noted for aggressively investigating claims that there were Communist and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government. Joseph Raymond McCarthy (1908 - 1957) was a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin between 1947 and 1957. Between 1950 and 1954, McCarthy became noted for aggressively investigating claims that there were Communist and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government. Beginning in the late 1940s, as the Cold War escalated between the United States and the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, the United States went through a period of intense anti-Communist tensions and suspicion. Beginning in the late 1940s, as the Cold War escalated between the United States and the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, the United States went through a period of intense anti-Communist tensions and suspicion. Many thousands of individuals were suspected of being Soviet spies, Communists, or Communist sympathizers—though membership in the American Communist Party or support of its goals were never illegal, they were regarded by many as tantamount to treason. Many thousands of individuals were suspected of being Soviet spies, Communists, or Communist sympathizers—though membership in the American Communist Party or support of its goals were never illegal, they were regarded by many as tantamount to treason. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of this era of anti-Communism. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of this era of anti-Communism.

10. McCarthyism The term McCarthyism was coined that same year to describe and condemn the senator's methods, which by the mid-1950s were widely seen as demagogic and based on reckless, unsubstantiated accusations. The term McCarthyism was coined that same year to describe and condemn the senator's methods, which by the mid-1950s were widely seen as demagogic and based on reckless, unsubstantiated accusations. Later the term was applied more generally to the anti- Communism of the late 1940s through the late 1950s; today, it is often used even more broadly, to describe public attacks made on persons' character and/or patriotism that involve the sort of tactics associated with McCarthy. Later the term was applied more generally to the anti- Communism of the late 1940s through the late 1950s; today, it is often used even more broadly, to describe public attacks made on persons' character and/or patriotism that involve the sort of tactics associated with McCarthy.

11. The Wheeling Speech 1950 McCarthy's words in the speech are a matter of some dispute, as they were not reliably recorded at the time. It is generally agreed, however, that he produced a piece of paper which he claimed contained a list of known Communists working for the State Department. McCarthy is usually quoted to have said: "I have here in my hand a list of 205 people that were known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party, and who, nevertheless, are still working and shaping the policy of the State Department." McCarthy's words in the speech are a matter of some dispute, as they were not reliably recorded at the time. It is generally agreed, however, that he produced a piece of paper which he claimed contained a list of known Communists working for the State Department. McCarthy is usually quoted to have said: "I have here in my hand a list of 205 people that were known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party, and who, nevertheless, are still working and shaping the policy of the State Department." At the time of McCarthy's speech, Communism was a growing concern in the United States. This concern was worsened by the actions of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe, the fall of China to the Maoists, the Soviets' development of the atomic bomb the year before and by the recent conviction of Alger Hiss and the confession of Soviet spy Klaus Fuchs. With this background and due to the sensational nature of McCarthy's charge against the State Department, the Wheeling speech attracted a flood of press interest in McCarthy. At the time of McCarthy's speech, Communism was a growing concern in the United States. This concern was worsened by the actions of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe, the fall of China to the Maoists, the Soviets' development of the atomic bomb the year before and by the recent conviction of Alger Hiss and the confession of Soviet spy Klaus Fuchs. With this background and due to the sensational nature of McCarthy's charge against the State Department, the Wheeling speech attracted a flood of press interest in McCarthy.

12. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC or HCUA) (1938–1975) In 1947, the committee held nine days of hearings into alleged Communist propaganda in the Hollywood motion picture industry. After conviction on contempt of Congress charges for refusal to answer some questions posed by committee members, the "Hollywood Ten" were blacklisted by the industry. Eventually, more than 300 artists—including directors, radio commentators, actors and particularly screenwriters—were boycotted by the studios. Some, like Charlie Chaplin, left the US to find work. Others wrote under pseudonyms or the names of colleagues. Only about ten percent succeeded in rebuilding careers within the entertainment industry. In 1947, the committee held nine days of hearings into alleged Communist propaganda in the Hollywood motion picture industry. After conviction on contempt of Congress charges for refusal to answer some questions posed by committee members, the "Hollywood Ten" were blacklisted by the industry. Eventually, more than 300 artists—including directors, radio commentators, actors and particularly screenwriters—were boycotted by the studios. Some, like Charlie Chaplin, left the US to find work. Others wrote under pseudonyms or the names of colleagues. Only about ten percent succeeded in rebuilding careers within the entertainment industry. In the fifties, the most effective sanction was terror. Almost any publicity from HUAC meant the 'blacklist.' Without a chance to clear his name, a witness would suddenly find himself without friends and without a job. In the fifties, the most effective sanction was terror. Almost any publicity from HUAC meant the 'blacklist.' Without a chance to clear his name, a witness would suddenly find himself without friends and without a job.

13. Arthur Miller The HUAC subpoenaed Miller to appear before the committee. Before appearing, Miller asked the committee to not ask him to name names, to which the chairman agreed. When Miller attended the hearing he gave the committee a detailed account of his political activities. Despite what the chairman had told Miller, the committee asked him to reveal to them names of friends and colleagues who had partaken in similar activities. Miller refused to comply with the request, saying: "I could not use the name of another person and bring trouble on him.“ The HUAC subpoenaed Miller to appear before the committee. Before appearing, Miller asked the committee to not ask him to name names, to which the chairman agreed. When Miller attended the hearing he gave the committee a detailed account of his political activities. Despite what the chairman had told Miller, the committee asked him to reveal to them names of friends and colleagues who had partaken in similar activities. Miller refused to comply with the request, saying: "I could not use the name of another person and bring trouble on him.“ Because of his refusal, in May of 1957 a judge found Miller guilty of contempt of Congress. Miller was fined $500, sentenced to thirty days in prison, blacklisted, and disallowed a US passport. Because of his refusal, in May of 1957 a judge found Miller guilty of contempt of Congress. Miller was fined $500, sentenced to thirty days in prison, blacklisted, and disallowed a US passport. However, in 1958, his conviction was overturned by the court of appeals, ruling that Miller was misled by the chairman of HUAC. However, in 1958, his conviction was overturned by the court of appeals, ruling that Miller was misled by the chairman of HUAC.

14. The Hollywood Blacklist HUAC charged that Communists had established a significant base in the dominant medium of mass culture. Communists were said to be placing subversive messages into Hollywood films and discriminating against unsympathetic colleagues. A further concern was that Communists were in a position to place negative images of the United States in films that would have wide international distribution. HUAC charged that Communists had established a significant base in the dominant medium of mass culture. Communists were said to be placing subversive messages into Hollywood films and discriminating against unsympathetic colleagues. A further concern was that Communists were in a position to place negative images of the United States in films that would have wide international distribution. Film workers were instructed that their primary responsibility was to keep anti-Soviet and anti-Left sentiment out of films. Film workers were instructed that their primary responsibility was to keep anti-Soviet and anti-Left sentiment out of films. Liberalism, not Communism, was in fact the true target of the HUAC investigators. The Right wished to discourage any Hollywood impulse to make films advocating social change at home or critical of foreign policy. Liberalism, not Communism, was in fact the true target of the HUAC investigators. The Right wished to discourage any Hollywood impulse to make films advocating social change at home or critical of foreign policy. The task of intimidation was focused on the role Communists played as screenwriters. Nearly 60 percent of all individuals called to testify and an equal percent of all those blacklisted were screenwriters. Only 20 percent of those called and 25 percent of those blacklisted were actors. The task of intimidation was focused on the role Communists played as screenwriters. Nearly 60 percent of all individuals called to testify and an equal percent of all those blacklisted were screenwriters. Only 20 percent of those called and 25 percent of those blacklisted were actors. HUAC returned for a second Hollywood round in 1951 but the proceedings were not true investigations. The political views of already known and those called were already known and the people they were asked to name as comrades were also known. HUAC returned for a second Hollywood round in 1951 but the proceedings were not true investigations. The political views of already known and those called were already known and the people they were asked to name as comrades were also known. The hearings amounted to a kind of ideological exorcism. Witnesses were expected to state that they had been misled or confused in the past and were now regretful. They could prove their sincerity by naming other who had been with them in Communist organizations or at Communist functions. The hearings amounted to a kind of ideological exorcism. Witnesses were expected to state that they had been misled or confused in the past and were now regretful. They could prove their sincerity by naming other who had been with them in Communist organizations or at Communist functions.

15. The End of McCarthy McCarthy charged that the State Department and its Secretary, Dean Acheson, harbored “traitorous” Communists. McCarthy’s apocalyptic rhetoric made critics hesitate before challenging him. McCarthy charged that the State Department and its Secretary, Dean Acheson, harbored “traitorous” Communists. McCarthy’s apocalyptic rhetoric made critics hesitate before challenging him. Those accused by McCarthy faced loss of employment, damaged careers, and in many cases, broken lives. Those accused by McCarthy faced loss of employment, damaged careers, and in many cases, broken lives. After the 1952 election, in which the Republican Party won control of Congress, McCarthy became chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations and its Subcommittee on Investigations. After the 1952 election, in which the Republican Party won control of Congress, McCarthy became chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations and its Subcommittee on Investigations. McCarthy then extended his targets to include numerous government agencies, in addition to the broadcasting and defense industries, universities, and the United Nations. McCarthy then extended his targets to include numerous government agencies, in addition to the broadcasting and defense industries, universities, and the United Nations. McCarthy’s committee began a two-month investigation of the Army. Viewers saw the following dramatic encounters televised live as they occurred between McCarthy, Special Counsel for the Army Joseph N. Welch, Counselor for the Army John G. Adams, and the subcommittee’s chief counsel, Roy Cohn. McCarthy’s committee began a two-month investigation of the Army. Viewers saw the following dramatic encounters televised live as they occurred between McCarthy, Special Counsel for the Army Joseph N. Welch, Counselor for the Army John G. Adams, and the subcommittee’s chief counsel, Roy Cohn. Although McCarthy’s power declined sharply following the hearings and the Senate voted to condemn him a few months later, scholars disagree on whether McCarthy’s appearance before a mass television audience caused his fall. Although McCarthy’s power declined sharply following the hearings and the Senate voted to condemn him a few months later, scholars disagree on whether McCarthy’s appearance before a mass television audience caused his fall. Historians do, however, credit ABC-TV’s decision to broadcast the hearings live, the only one to do so, with the network’s rise to prominence. Historians do, however, credit ABC-TV’s decision to broadcast the hearings live, the only one to do so, with the network’s rise to prominence.

16. The History Channel Videos McCarthy's Fall McCarthy's Fall Charlie Chaplin Leaves the U.S. Charlie Chaplin Leaves the U.S. Charlie Chaplin Leaves the U.S. Charlie Chaplin Leaves the U.S. Margaret Chase Smith Speech Margaret Chase Smith Speech Margaret Chase Smith Speech Margaret Chase Smith Speech HUAC Questioning HUAC Questioning HUAC Questioning HUAC Questioning