McCarthyism (1945-75) Flashcards
1
Q
what created a fear of the spread of communism?
A
- fall of China to communism in 1949
- led to china lobby investigating how US let this happen
- senator McCarran said spies had infiltrated state dept.
2
Q
what were the spy scandals?
A
- series of scandals in US, UK, canada
- British physicist Fuchs gave nuclear secrets to USSR
3
Q
what was the Alger Hiss trial?
A
- communist in charge of times mag
- tried to sue chambers for accusing him of passing info
- found to have given docs to soviets in 1938 (only prosecuted for lying in court)
4
Q
when and what was the loyalty review board?
A
- 1947
- check on government employees
- within 4 years 1200 dismissed and 6000 resigned
5
Q
what did the soviets do in 1949?
A
- test their first nuclear,ear weapon
US tried to make H-Bomb in response
6
Q
what was the HUAC (House of Un-American activities)?
A
- created in 1938 to investigate suspected communists
- deported/blacklisted many like Charlie Chaplin
- turned into witch hunt with little evidence
- people could refuse to talk through 5th amendment, but they would assume you were guilty and arrest you
7
Q
who was McCarthy?
A
- senator who made speech in 1950 saying state dept was full of spies (no evidence)
- caused with hunt and put in charge of committee of gov operation in 1953
8
Q
who supported McCarthyism?
A
- American legion
- christian fundamentalists
- less educated and affluent people
- supporters of capitalism and rugged individualism
9
Q
what was the classification of communism?
A
- new deal measures
- civil rights
- the UN
- redistribution of wealth
(library in Indiana banned Robin Hood book)
10
Q
what was McCarthy’s downfall?
A
- people angry when he investigated respectable general Marshall in 1954
- then investigated army who just retuned from fight communism in Korea
- started televising trials with little evidence (bully)
11
Q
how did the soviets claim they got nuclear tech so quick?
A
deployed 221 spies to infiltrate US and UK governments
12
Q
how many leaders of the communist party were prosecuted with the 1940 smith act?
A
11
