the reds are invading objective: analyze the role of communism in america std 11.9.3a&b
TRANSCRIPT
The Second Red Scare Feared that
Communism would take over the world
1949 – China becomes Communist
1949 – Russia builds their own nuclear bomb
1950 – Communist North Korea tries to defeat South Korea and the U.S.
NK receives military and financial help from the Soviet Union and China
Communism in America
Great Depression - Americans joined the Communist Party, legal organization
During and after WWII, the economy improved Trust Stalin (No
Way!!!) Communists quit
their support of the party pasts came back to
haunt them
Loyalty Programs Federal Employee
Loyalty Program in 1947
New government employees were checked for possible disloyalty
Accusation enough to get someone fired or prevented from getting a job
Millions were investigated, several hundred removed from their jobs, few arrests
Pledge of Allegiance????
Communist Spies in America
Alger Hiss State Department
official accused of being a
spy – convicted of perjury (lying to the court)
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg accused of passing
atomic secrets convicted and then
executed in 1953 Recently released
secret Soviet records indicate that Hiss and Julius Rosenberg were guilty, while Ethel was probably innocent
H.U.A.C. The House Un-
Americans Activities Committee investigated
Communist infiltration of Government agencies and the Hollywood movie industry
Many in Hollywood used to be, or still were Communists
Hollywood & Government encouragement, had even made pro-Soviet Union films during the war
Uncle Joe was considered to be a friend of America
Hollywood writers and directors were called before the Committee Witnesses made
outrageous and unsubstantiated accusations
“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
Hollywood 10 refused to answer any questions, invoking their
Constitutional Rights They had to serve jail
terms for 6 months to a year
Movie studios compiled a blacklist Names who should not
be hired because of possible Communist ties
or because they opposed the idea of a blacklist
The Texas State Legislature made it a felony to belong to the Communist Party – up to 20 years in prison
The Texas Governor threatened to veto the bill – he thought the punishment should have been death
In New York city, citizens had to pledge their loyalty for a fishing license
In Indiana, professional wrestlers were required to take a loyalty oath
In 1954, it became illegal to be a Communist – the bill passed Congress by a combined vote of 365 – 2
Examples
Joseph McCarthyA. “Tailgunner Joe”
Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin elected 1946
1950 feared reelection in 1952 “Tailgunner Joe”: WWII vet,
but a low level paper pusher in intelligence
Ideas against Communism Opposed public housing (in
support of real estate cos.) Publicly defended Nazi war
criminals on trial for death (to woo German Americans
Red-Baiting to Power
Feb. 1950: Wheeling, WV, speech before Women’s Republican Club
Reason for US impotence in containment: traitors
collaborating w/enemy,
State Department overrun w/Communist spies
Holds up a piece of paper and claims “205 names” # came from a HUAC
list of accused officials
Appeal of McCarthyism for Public
1. Appealed to a variety of fears (catch-all all negative changes after WWII: women, blacks, union activism, economic slump), never able to point to a specific action: accusations empty, but seemed to have substance
2. Americans wanted to believe (conspiracy mind-set helps to make sense of a complicated world)
3. Anti-communism had deep roots in American history and psyche (always more concerned about the Left than the Right; 1st Red Scare)
The End of McCarthy
In the end, presented a list of only 9 names (and only 4 in State Dept.) to Senate Committee denounced as a fraud and hoax
Saved when chief opponent, Millard Tydings (D. MD) lost seat in election “proof” of power
With election of Ike in ’52, Republicans hoped he would give it up (almost no one really believed there were spies election year tactic): didn’t
The Downfall of McCarthy
Famous broadcaster Edward R. Murrow publicly challenged McCarthy’s character and accusation on his national television show
McCarthy charged members of the Army of being Communist sympathizers – he had gone too far
Millions of Americans watched McCarthy crumble in the Army-McCarthy hearings over a span of several weeks
The word McCarthyism has come to mean unfair and untrue accusations to make a person look bad