1. The Early Cold War in America

2. The Red Scare : Hysteria
In the 1950’s, communism = clear and present danger/enemy
Communist Conspiracy??
Institutions sought to rid themselves of real or imagined subversives.
fear of being suspected
Panic gave way to…

3. Republican US Senator from Wisconsin
Joseph McCarthy
Gained national spotlight in 1950
In a speech he declared he had a list of 205 Communists in the State Department.
Became the most visible public face of anti-communism (and for some paranoia)
Dotinga, Randy. "McCarthy's Rise to Power." Boston: The Christian Science Monitor, ProQuest Direct. Horace Greeley Library, Chappaqua. 30 May 2007.
mid-pg. 782 to pg. 786
Republican US Senator from Wisconsin

4. McCarthyism
MCCARTHYISM: Characterized by uncontrollable, and unproven accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents
Have a care, sir.
Criticizing McCarthy brought a risk of being called a communist spy or sympathizer
Herblock. Have a Care, Sir Washington DC. Herblock's History. 1 June 2007 <

5. HUAC Republican-controlled Congress established HUAC
House Committee on Un-American Activities: Sought to root out Communists in US gov.
Created to investigate treachery and subversive associations. (1938–75)
HUAC’s anti-communist investigations are often confused with those of McCarthy (a Senator)

6. The Blacklist
1947: HUAC had hearings into alleged communist propaganda and influence in film.
Hollywood blacklist—a list of screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, and other U.S. entertainment professionals  denied employment because of their political beliefs or associations, real or suspected.

7. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
Paranoia was increasing among the American nation because:
Russia & A-Bomb
Invasion of South Korea by the North
Revelations and confessions of communists
The intensity of the McCarthy mentality of the times
The Rosenbergs were convicted on March 29, 1951, and sentenced to death under Section 2 of the Espionage Act.
Berger, Joseph. "Decades Later, Rosenberg Case Again Ignites Passions." New York Times 15 Nov. 2004, sec. B: 4. ProQuest. Horace Greeley High School Library, New York. 7 June 2007.