Communism / McCarthyism

Question 1

give 2 external factors contributing to the Red Scare

Answer 1

-1949 China is communist, US citizens blame their gov for ‘allowing’ it
-the Cold War and US involvement in Asia eg Korean War intensified fear of communism spreading

Question 2

how did the nuclear arms race contribute to the Red Scare

Answer 2

-many were arrested/ executed for giving nuclear secrets to the USSR eg Harry Gold in the Manhattan Project
-development of atom bomb and hydrogen bomb 1954

Question 3

how did the Alger Hiss trial contribute to the Red Scare

Answer 3

-Hiss tried to sue former communist editor of Time magazine however evidence found against Hiss proving he gave secret documents to USSR in 1938
-led to widespread accusations

Question 4

what did Truman do in response to the Alger Hiss trial and what was the impact

Answer 4

-set up Loyalty Review Board 1947
-within 4 years 1,200 dismissed and 6000 resigned

Question 5

what was the HUAC and what did they do

Answer 5

-House Committee on Un American Activities
-investigated potential communists

Question 6

how was McCarthy given power and when

Answer 6

-1953 McCarthy given control of Senate Committee on Gov Operations

Question 7

who were McCarthy’s main supporters

Answer 7

-Christian fundamentalists
-less educated and less affluent citizens

Question 8

give examples of who McCarthy accused of being communist sympathisers

Answer 8

-members of New Deal measures
-civil rights measures advocates
-United Nations supporters
-those in favour of redistribution of wealth
-Robin Hood (subversive content)
-Charlie Chaplin

Question 9

what caused McCarthy’s unpopularity and when

Answer 9

-1954 McCarthy began investigating the army, the institution fighting communism in Korea
-ppl saw he had no evidence to his claims