Red Scare Vocab Flashcards
Red Scare
A hysteria over the supposed threat posed by the communists in the U.S
Reds
A term that communists were referred to for their allegiance to the Red Soviet Flag
HAUC
The House Un-American Activities Committee. The official role was to investigate communist and fascist organizations but it also examined other groups like the Hollywood film industry.
Joseph Mcarthy
A U.S senator from Wisconsin who used intimidation and heresy to attack anyone supposedly associated with communism.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
In 1951, this American husband and wife were convicted of being Soviet spies for selling government secrets (atomic bomb) to the Soviets.
J. Edgar Hoover
Longtime director of the FBI: Hoover was a strong anti-communist and used controversial methods of obtaining information about suspected communist.
Hysteria
Exaggerated, uncontrolled emotion
Communist Sympathizers
Anybody who tolerated the communist lifestyle
Blacklist
A document listing people believed to be communists of sympathizers.
Blacklisted
To be blacklisted meant being denied services, work, a place to live as well as any respect.
Witch Hunts
Investigation tactics and accusations used by the HAUC to search out communists.
Hollywood 10
A group of Hollywood writers and directors called to testify but refused to cooperate with HAUC. They were sent to prison and blacklisted from working in the film industry.
Alger Hiss
A former high-ranking State department official accused of being a soviet spy.
Edward R Murrow
A journalist for a national news program who exposed McCarthy intimidation tactics.
Mcarthyism
Making exaggerations and using heresy to accuse and interrogate someone.
