1 - Red scare and McCarthyism Flashcards
What was the role of the FBI and Federal loyalty boards?
The director of the Federal Bureau of investigation J. Edgar Hoover had very strong anti-communist had an huge role in arresting suspected communist during the first red scare. FBI created files of suspected spies
Hoover was concerned about communist spies working within federal government departments wrote to president Truman he thought it was a serious problem. In March 1947 Truman gave an order allowed gov employees to be removed if they were disloyal to the US
Hoover set up federal loyalty boards to investigate gov employees to find if they had links to communism. Between 1947 to 1951 3 million gov workers were investigated and 3,000 were fired or forced to resigned considered a security risk. Many buisnesses investigated their workforce thousands lost their jobs who were suspected.
What was the House committee on un-American activities?
HUAC was set up by the US gov in 1938 to monitor extremist groups suspected of Un-American activities. Members of congress were selected to be on the committee. Public hearings began on the threat presented by the communist party of the America. Hoover was most important witness and saw Huac’s potential in educating in public and exposing traitors. FBI began secretly passing intelligence to HUAC. HUAC then called suspected communist to be questioned.
What were the Hollywood ten?
Millions of people to went to the cinema. Huge concern that communist try and use the film industry to spread propaganda. In Oct 1947, HUAC called 41 writers and producers and directors for for questioning about communism in Hollywood. 19 people as communist when these 19 people appeared before HUAC. Ten refused to answer any questions pleading first amendment of the US constitution. All were jailed for 1 year for contempt were backlisted. never worked again. it gave huge publicity increased anti-communist views
What was the Hiss case?
Alger Hiss was a member of state department was important advisers to president Roosevelt during WW2. During HUAC hearing he was named as member of communist group. Huac called him for questioning. Hiss denied it. Richard Dixon insisted he had been leaking information to SU. In January 1950 Hiss sentenced to 5 years in prison. convicted of spying. Becuase of the fact Hiss ha been sent to prison it seemed to prove that Hoover was right communist spies were everywhere.
What was the Rosenberg?
When Klaus Fauchs was arrested in Britain for passing on info for the SU for the atomic bomb he was sentenced to 14 years in prison he named other spies David Greenglass who named Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Rosenberg’s denied all charged of spying but they were sentenced to death even though evidence was weak
What was the Impact of the FBI’s work and HUAC?
Many in Hollywood defended the 10 and weak evidence against the Rosenberg’s to their deaths many protest. Unusual reactions most US citizens believed communist conspiracy in their country.
During Hiss trial news of SU atomic bomb development released combined with Hiss case US fear of communist grew/ Congress passed the McCarran international security act all communist organisation had to register with the gov.
Rosenberg’s arrest created controversy some protested innocence many blamed them for helping the SU for making atomic bomb. More prosecutions of HUAC and FBI. US people believed communist were everywhere and they were surrounded by spies trying to bring them down created suspension between family work colleagues
What was the McCarran act was strengthened in 1952?
Communist not allowed US passports
Communist not allowed to work in certain jobs
Anyone suspected could be sent to a detention camp without trial.
Lead to McCarthyism
Who was Joseph McCarthy?
Joseph McCarthy became a republican senator for Wisconsin after the Hiss trial in 1950 he made a speech claiming to have a list of 205 members of communist party who worked in the state department. Made many more speeches until it narrowed down to 57. Many senators and members demanded an investigation. Tidings committee made up of members of congress was set up to investigate McCarthy’s accusations found out they were untrue he called senator tidings un-American and communist sympathiser he was not re-elected. His accusations helped explain the Korean war and cold war was poor for the USA. Despite info from tidings committee still supported by Republicans to carry out further investigations. In fact Republicans encouraged McCarthy’s they believed he was popular and gave issue to attack Democrats. Republicans won elections McCarthy was made chairman of the government committee on operations
What were the methods used by McCarthy’s?
McCarthy held hearings first in private and then in public. Used bullying and aggressive questioning of many suspected communist attacking high profile figures to gain more publicity. Tried to make them confess. McCarthy gathered evidence most of which came from FBI. He fabricated much evidence. There were Democratic senators and journalist who spoke against the he attacked them for being communist.
Nobody was ever convicted by his accusations of spying. He continued to win popular appeal. Thousands attended his speeches and millions watched. Just being called by McCarthy ended carrers the whole of America at the grip of McCarthyism
How did McCarthy’s downfall begin?
McCarthy’s accusations grew extreme accused popular war general George Marshall of aiding ‘Communist drive for world domination’ by the Marshall plan and his fault for communist victor in China. President Eisenhower did nothing to support Marshall afraid of losing votes. Opinion polls showed M actions were unpopular with US.
By 1953 McCarthy was leading new senate sub-committee on communist influences in the US army. In 1954 the army- McCarthy hearings began. They were televised and US could see him work. They were shocked by his bullying. The army fought back finding evidence of McCarthy abusing his privileges as member of congress and sent it to newspapers. More anti-McCarthy material appeared in the press.
What were the impacts of McCarthyism?
McCarthyism had direct impact on thousands on people who lost their jobs and who’s carrers were damaged by McCarthy’s allegation. Companies and institutions were affected. State departments lost hundreds of intelligent and talented people.
Impact of McCarthyism was bigger everyone in US affected by fears of ‘enemy’s within’. Thousands of ordinary Americans gave info to FBI on people they suspected of being comunist. People seen as ‘red’ if they had radical and socialist if they had difference in opinions.
Trade unions were banned were communist dramatically reduce influenced. Fewer workers joined afraid of being seen as communist. Many stopped talking about communist. Red scare and McCarthyism had huge impact on politicians who did not campaign for eft wing policies. US damaged internationally seen as intolerant of people with different ideas. Us policy remained anti-communist even after McCarthy.
