A World Of Spies: Reds Under The Bed? Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is HUAC?
The house of Un-American Activities Comittee
When was HUAC set up and what did it do?
-In 1938 to question those believed to be involved in communist activities. Witnesses had to choose between ‘confessing’ and putting themselves at risk or naming others. Many who were blamed where innocent
Who was McCarthy and what did he do?
-In the search for communists Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy became a key figure
- the ‘witch hunt’ became McCarthyism
Who else thought that there were communists in America?
-Director of the FBI John Edgar Hoover was convinced communist had infiltrated American life and launched a secret surveillance programmes
Who were the few people involved in Communist activity in America?
-Alger Hiss: passed state secrets to the USSR
-Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: part of the wider network passing secrets about atomic bomb development to Moscow
-Klaus Fuchs: German/British scientist passing secrets about the Manhattan project to Britain and USA
What did McCarthy
- methods with entertainment industry, Democratic Party and universities known as a ‘witch-hunt’
- unfounded allegations destroyed careers in film industry
How did things calm?
When McCarthy’s accusations became increasingly absurd and he was discredited
