Red Scare

Question 1

Reasons for the Red Scare

Answer 1

• The Cold War
• US and Soviets were the 2 Superpowers and there was distrust between the 2
• Opposing Ideological Systems(Capitalism vs Communism)
• America not revealing atomic bomb until Potsdam Conference
• Truman Doctrine, supporting countries against communist takeover
• Creation of Trizonia and Berlin Blocade

Question 2

What Happened to the Hollywood 10

Answer 2

• There were concerns with Hollywood spreading communist propaganda
• 19 were named communists, 10 refused to give information and were jailed for 1 year and blacklisted from the industry

Question 3

Who was Alger Hiss?

Answer 3

• Member of state department, was advisor to Roosevelt
• Was accused of being a communist spy
• Denied allegations
• Trial in 49, was charged with perjury
• Charge of perjury convinced public they were guilty
• Seemed to prove spies infiltrated the US government and increased tensions

Question 4

Who were the Rosenburgs

Answer 4

• During Feb 1950
• Communist spy arrested
• Ratted on the Rosenburgs
• Rosenburgs denied all charges
• In 1953 they were deemed guilty and executed

Question 5

FBI and HUAC

Answer 5

• Director of FBI J Edgar Hoover
• Very anticommunist
• In 1947, he convinced Truman to allow the removal of government employees if they were commies
• Set up government agency to investigate loyalty of public servants
• Between 47 and 51, 3 million investigated, 300 resigned
• HUAC, House Committee of un-American Activities
• A committee to punish American communists

Question 6

McCarran Act

Answer 6

• Passed in 1950 strengthened in 52
• Meant that communists could not have US passports, could not take certain jobs and could be put in detention camps without trial
• Increased suspicion of people towards their friends and colleagues causing hysteria
• Led by Senator Joseph McCarthy

Question 7

Reasons for McCarthy downfall

Answer 7

• McCarthy’s accusation grew extreme
• Accused General Marshal for helping communism through the Marshall plan
• However, this backfired because it caused the US Army to turn against McCarthy
• In 53, McCarthy led a subcommittee to influence communist influence in the Army
• In 54, Army vs McCarthy hearings began, was televised, public could see McCarthy’s bullying tactics
• Also, the Army fought back by finding evidence of McCarthy abusing his privileges
• More anti McCarthy news appearing in the press
• On 9 March 1954, there was a broadcast of a show critiquing McCarthy’s speeches and actions, causing his downfall
• Cold War tensions has eased after Korean War, anticommunist hysteria was less prevalent
• No one was arrested because of McCarthy’s accusations, detracting from his credibility

Question 8

Methods used by McCarthy

Answer 8

• McCarthy bullied suspects for information
• Fabricated evidence and called Democrats communist because they were soft on communism
• He was helped because of anticommunist fervor from the Korean war
• McCarthy used evidence fed to him from the FBI to force confessions