The Red Scare Flashcards
Why did the USA fear communism?
After World War II, Americans watched as communism was spread due to Soviet control of different countries. People also thought that the Soviet had infiltrated the USA and were secretly plotting against the US government from within the country
What was the Marshall Plan?
When aid was sent to European countries in order to persuade them to be non-communist
Where did the Cold War first begin?
Berlin
Which countries had control over West Germany?
France, Britain and the USA
Which country had control over East Germany?
The USSR
What did the Soviet do to try and turn Berlin communist?
Encouraged people to vote for communism at ‘free’ elections
When did the Berlin Blockade begin?
June 1948
Why did the Berlin Blockade happen?
It happened so that West Berlin would starve into submission so that they could turn Berlin communist
What was the Berlin Airlift?
Western powers flew in supplies despite the fact that they had the danger of being shot down
Why was Korea split?
The north was occupied by Soviet troops whilst the south was occupied by US troops
Who started the Korean war?
North Korea invaded South Korea first
When did the Korean war start?
1950
When did the Korean war end?
1953
What does HUAC stand for?
House Committee on Un-American Activities
What did the FBI do about communism?
They built up files on possible communists
What did HUAC do?
Questioned and interrogated people in connection with Soviet agents
Who was Elizabeth Bentley?
She admitted to being a Soviet agent and told the US government 150 names of other agents
Why was Hollywood investigated?
The government feared that it could be used to spread communist propaganda
Who were the Hollywood 10?
10 Hollywood writers who refused to give evidence in line with the constitution
What happened to the Hollywood 10?
They were sent to prison and blacklisted
What were the loyalty boards?
Investigated the government workers
Who was Alger Hiss?
An advisor to President Roosevelt and a worker for the UN
When was Alger Hiss accused of being a spy?
1948
Who accused Alger Hiss of being a spy?
Whitaker Chambers
What was Alger Hiss found guilty of?
Perjury-Lying to the court
Who was Joseph McCarthy?
Senator for Wisconsin
What was McCarthysim?
Communism hunting
What did the Tydings committee do?
Investigated McCarthy’s claims about communism
How did the media help McCarthyism to continue?
It fueled the hysteria already in the country of the fear of communism
When were the Rosenbergs arrested?
1950
What were the Rosenbergs accused of?
Passing atomic secrets to the USSR
What evidence was there against the Rosenbergs?
Identification of their names in code on a Soviet telegram
What happened to the Rosenbergs?
They were found guilty and sentenced to death in 1951
When were the Rosenbergs executed?
1953
Who accused McCarthy of being a fraud?
Senator Tydings from the Tydings committee
How did McCarthy retaliate against the Tydings committee?
He accused Senator Tydings of communist sympathy
What led to McCarthy’s downfall?
His fake growing accusations against respected people and investigated members of the army including General Zwicker who was a WWII hero
What did the media do after McCarthy investigated the army?
Turned on him and no longer supported and fueled the hysteria against communism
When was communism banned?
1954
What happened after McCarthy was disregarded?
HUAC continued McCarthyism but had no big affect on anything
What was the Red Scare?
The concern regarding the spread of communist and socialist ideas
