1. The McCarthy Era
An Era of Suspicion

2. House of UnAmerican Activities Committee
FILMS HAD POWER TO CORRUPT AMERICAN PEOPLE
BEGAN INVESTIGATING FILM INDUSTRY FOR DISLOYALTY
“HOLLYWOOD 10”
WRITERS, ACTORS, DIRECTORS, AND PRODUCERS JAILED FOR CONTEMPT.
ALL DISCHARGED WHEN THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER COMMITTEE QUESTIONS.

3. WHO WAS IN CHARGE? CHAIRMAN: J. Parnell Thomas ASKS THEM:
“ARE YOU KNOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY?”

4. JOSEPH McCARTHY Came to Power in the SENATE
Accused many gov’t employees of being COMMUNISTS
American People support him out of FEAR
Want communits out of gov’t positions.

5. LEGACY OF HUAC & THE McCARTHY HEARINGS
HUNDREDS OF GOV’T WORKERS LOSE THEIR JOBS.
MANY IN THE ENTERAINMENT INDUSTRY BECOME “BLACKLISTED”
AGE OF SUPPRESSION OF IDEAS & OPEN DISCUSSION

6. WHY?
Why were Americans willing to suspend the Bill of Rights to fight Communism?
What were they afraid of?
What were they trying to protect?
What did fear drive some Americans to do?

9. FEAR OF NUCLEAR ATTACK COMUNIST TAKE OVER
COMMUNISTS INFILTRATING GOVERNMENT

10. MEET THE ROSENBERGS

11. WHY WERE THEY ARRESTED? Former members of the U.S. Communist Party
Inactive for some time.
Accused of espionage (giving Soviets the secrets to the A-Bomb)

12. Rosenberg's cont..
Both denied the charges & claimed that they were being targeted because they were Jewish.
Died by electric chair in 1953.
First “spies” to be killed.

13. DOWNFALL OF HUAC McCarthy becomes reckless
Makes wild accusations against ARMY REPS.
Hearings are televised for 36 Days.
By April 1954, Public is FED UP
Stays in SENATE, yet loses his power and dies in 1957.