McCarthyism and the Red Scare 1945-54

Question 1

The Red Scare

Answer 1

The red scare was anti-communist hysteria in the USA
This was largely the result of the onset of the cold war and the expansion of communism into Eastern Europe after WW2
In 1949, China also turned communist indicating the “danger” of communism was a worldwide threat

Question 2

Truman Doctrine and Marshal Plan

Answer 2

TD - Help all people whose freedom was threatened by communism
MP - Economic arm of the Truman Doctrine
Help European Countries to rebuild their economies to prevent spread of communism
$14 billion was given

Question 3

The Hollywood 10

Answer 3

In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) began to look into communist infiltration in the film industry. There was a fear that films were being used to put across communist messages
10 writers and directors had to testify before HUAC and were asked if they had ever been part of the communist party. When they refused to answer, pleading the 5th Amendment, they were found to be in contempt of Congress.
The Hollywood 10 were sacked and spent a year in prison

Question 4

Alger Hiss Case

Answer 4

In 1948 Whitaker Chambers, an editor on Time magazine and a former communist, informed a leading member of HUAC, Richard Nixon, that Alger Hiss, a high ranking member of the US state department, was a spy.
Hiss was interrogated and discredited by Nixon, but there was little evidence to prove him a spy.
Later that year, Nixon was invited to Chambers farm. Chambers took Nixon to a pumpkin patch where he took a roll of microfilm from a pumpkin that contained government documents, some of which had been copied onto Hiss’ typewriter known as pumpkin papers.
In 1950, Hiss was tried for perjury and sentenced to 5 years in jail.

Question 5

Rosenberg’s Case

Answer 5

The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949 several years sooner than the US had expected. Some in America believed this could only have been achieved that quickly due to spying.
That same month Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were arrested on suspicion of spying and later tried on charge of conspiring to commit espionage.
The couple were former members of the communist party but had no links to it by 1949.
Both were found guilty and executed in June 1953.

Question 6

The Rise of McCarthyism

Answer 6

In 1950, Joseph McCarthy, a young Republican Senator, claimed he had the names of 205 communists who were working in the state department.
As Chairman of a Senate Committee, McCarthy began to investigate communism in the government, interviewing hundreds of individuals.
Throughout 1952 and 1953 he extended his investigations, investigating libraries for pro-communist books and targeting high profile figures and accusing them of communist activities with little evidence.
Thousands of lives were ruined by this “witch hunt”, it led to people being blacklisted which meant they could not find work.
Over 100 university lecturers were fired and 324 Hollywood personalities blacklisted.

Question 7

The Fall of McCarthyism

Answer 7

In 1954, McCarthy accused 45 army officers of being communist agents.
McCarthy was challenged and asked to produce evidence to support his accusations.
The army vs McCarthy hearings were televised and McCarthy was seen to be rude, abusive and bullying.
McCarthy’s popularity fell dramatically and his evidence was exposed as “rumours”.
He was dismissed from office and died an alcoholic in 1957.