The Widening of the Cold War, 1949–1955: Increasing Cold War Tensions - McCarthyism in the USA and its Influence in Britain and Europe Flashcards
1
Q
What was the House of Un-American Activities Committee?
A
- HUAC was founded in 1938 and became permanent from 1945
- Special committee of US gov. that investigated communist infiltration
2
Q
Who was Alger Hiss?
A
- American gov. official who was a prominent member of Roosevelt’s pre-war and wartime governments
3
Q
Describe the Alger Hiss affair
A
- In 1948, he was accused by a communist journalist, Whittaker Chambers, of being a member of the Communist Party
- In January 1950, Hiss was convicted of perjury as he was accused of lying about passing info to the USSR during 1937-38
- Validity of this accusation is still widely debated
4
Q
How did the Alger Hiss affair impact people’s views of Truman and the Democrats?
A
- People criticised Truman for being too ‘soft’ on communism
- Accused for the ‘loss’ of China
- McCarthy shared these views
- Dean G. Acheson publicly offered support to Hiss after being convicted
- Made more people convinced the gov. were tainted with communism
5
Q
What was the ‘Hollywood 10’ affair?
A
- In 1947, Republicans led HUAC and investigated a supposed Hollywood-centred communist plot to overthrow the gov.
- The ‘Hollywood 10’ was a group of writers/directors who were currently or previously part of the American Communist Party e.g Charlie Chaplin
- They were convicted of contempt and given one-year jail sentences
- Contempt - insult to, interference with, or violation of a sovereign court or legislative body
6
Q
What was the McCarran or Internal Security Act?
A
- Introduced in 1950
- Said members of Communist-affiliated organisations had to register with fed. gov.
- Failure to do so would result in jail or fines
- Those registered could be denied passports or deported
7
Q
Who was Joseph McCarthy?
A
- 1908-57
- Republican senator for Wisconsin
- Exploited and drove anti-communist anxieties at the time
8
Q
Describe the investigations done during the McCarthy hysteria
A
- In 1952, McCarthy led congressional committees investigating communists within the USA
- By 1953, these investigations covered the media, the entertainment industry, colleges and universities
- Hundreds of state and local gov. employees, teachers and college professors lost their jobs
9
Q
Describe the views of FBI head, J. Edgar Hoover in regards to communism
A
- Significant figure during Red Scare
- Hoover was determined to investigate communists
- Hoover referred to teachers as ‘Reducators’
- Hoover claimed that communists undermined America’s traditions and customs and questioned the correctness of the American way of life
10
Q
What did Truman think of the Red Scare and Hoover?
A
- Democrat Clark Clifford recalled Truman though it ‘was a load of baloney. But political pressures were such that he had to recognise it.’
- Privately, Truman compared Hoover and the FBI to the Gestapo
11
Q
Describe the Rosenburgs affair
A
- Convicted in April 1951 for passing American nuclear secrets to USSR
- Executed in June 1953
12
Q
How did McCarthy fall from grace?
A
- In 1954, McCarthy claimed that the ‘Reds’ had infiltrated the US Army
- Army-McCarthy hearings were held from April to June 1954 to investigate these claims
- A legal defence by army counsel Joseph N. Welch destroyed McCarthy
- He said, ‘Senator… you have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last have you left no sense of decency?’
- In March 1955, the Senate censured McCarthy
- Censure - formal expression of severe disapproval
13
Q
Describe how McCarthyism changed US policy in Asia and Europe
A
- Emphasised need for shift in US policy from Eurocentric focus to an ‘Asia first’ viewpoint
- Containment consolidated West’s position in Europe, but Asia was much less secure
- Claimed Truman failed to recognise threat of communism in Asia
14
Q
What events did McCarthy use to justify his ‘Asia first’ policies?
A
- China becoming communist in 1949
- Alliance between USSR and China
- Truman’s reluctance to support Jiang Jieshi during Chinese Civil War
- Claimed Korean war wouldn’t have happened if Truman supported Chinese nationalists
15
Q
Describe the influence McCarthyism and the globalisation of the Cold War had on Britain
A
- Britain concerned with the USA’s more aggressive Cold War thinking
- Concerned US’ aggressive response to Korean War might lead to USSR destabilising Europe, while UN focused on Asia
- ‘Asia first’ dangerous idea
- Korean War threatened territorial stability NATO sought out for
- Britain wanted to remain a close ally to USA
- So made significant military contribution in Korea despite continuing austerity
