Truman: mccarthyism

Question 1

Jospeph McCarthy

Answer 1

Republican senator for Wisconsin from 1947

Question 2

when was beginning of mccarthyism

Answer 2

• February 1950

- McCarthy claimed to have a list of 205 communist party members working for the US state department

Question 3

where did fear of communism come from?

Answer 3

• economic and military fear of communism
• successful soviet nuclear tests in august 1949
• fear of domino effect (Johnson)
• Truman doctrine and marshall aid had established communism as new enemy in US

Question 4

HUAC

Answer 4

• committee of un-American activities

- investigated supposed Hollywood centered communist conspiracy to overthrow gov

Question 5

Hollywood 10

Answer 5

group of actors writers and directors who had been or were members of the American Communist Party

• convicted of contempt of congress
• given 1-year sentences in prison

Question 6

Internal Security Act (McCarran Act)

Answer 6

• september 23rd 1950

- - said members of communist-affiliated organisations had to register with the fed gov or face fines / prison

Question 7

Order No. 9835

Answer 7

• Msrch 21st 1947
• ‘loyalty order’
• investigation into loyalty of fed employees
• could be now denied passports or deported

Question 8

How did Truman feel about rise of McCarthyism?

Answer 8

• felt uncomfortable but didn’t stop the process or the FBI from hunting them
• privately, Truman compared the FBI and Hoover to the Gestapo
• attempted to veto the 1952 internal security act but was only supported by 58 members of congress

Question 9

J. Edgar Hoover

Answer 9

• FBI cheif

- ordered his men to folow up on any allegations

Question 10

how many allegations were made 1947-1952?

Answer 10

3 million investigations

Question 11

social impacts of mccarthyism

Answer 11

• he exploited the public fear of nuclear war
• republican party encouraged mccarthyism in efforts to weaken the democrats = circulated more republican and conservative attitudes

Question 12

how did mccarthyism damage the democrats?

Answer 12

• republican party encouraged mccarthyism in efforts to weaken the democrats = circulated more republican and conservative attitudes
• he helped ensure the defeat of many democrats e.g. candidate Adiai Stevenson
• Nixon made his name in anti-communist investigations e.g. accusing Helen Douglas in 1950 california senate race