McCarthyism And the Red Scare

Understand McCarthyism and the Red Scare: analyze cartoons, texts, and videos about Cold War fear.

McCarthyism Cold War Political Cartoon-foreign policy review click on the dots on the picture and tell what you think each symbol represents. Which foreign policy is this cartoon showing? neutrality imperialism isolationism containment Historical Context McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare-video What was the 2nd Red Scare??? What did Senator McCarthy accuse some Americans of supporting? What were the Employee Loyalty Tests? Historical Context for McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare-Text In the 1940’s and 1950’s, Americans feared the growing popularity of Communism. The Soviet Union’s power had grown exponentially and the threat of nuclear attack felt very real to many Americans. Paranoia (fear) grew, and with the memory of Pearl Harbor still fresh in the minds of many Americans, fear of another surprise attack spread like wildfire. Suspicious of communists in the United States aiding the Soviet Union, the loyalty of many Americans began to be questioned.In 1938, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was formed as a temporary investigative unit to look into communist activity in the United States. The HUAC operated for 30 years, conducting well publicized probes into the movie industry and the US State Department. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was a major government leader of these investigations; he often made bold accusations without any evidence. This tactic became known as “McCarthyism”. This time period is also commonly referred to as the “Red Scare” because red was the color of choice for communists, the term became a nickname of communist supporters Between 1946 and 1954, the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Senator Joseph McCarthy attracted public attention by investigating allegations of communist influences in government civil rights violations against African Americans corruption by companies in the defense industry war crimes of German and Japanese officials Why were people fearful of the spread of Communism? What do you think it means to be "American"? You can give examples of American things. What do you think it means to be "UnAmerican"? You can give examples of unAmerican things. How to spot a communist. Watch the video in order to answer the questions that follow. Based on the small portion you viewed, what do you think the main point of this 1950’s documentary was? What impacts of the Red Scare and McCarthyism on American society can you see from watching this video? How could this documentary have contributed to the atmosphere of paranoia (fear) and suspicion among American citizens in the 1950’s? Senator Joseph McCarthy, Speech at Wheeling, West Virginia, February 9, 1950 - excerpts Use the paintbrush to underline where Senator McCarthy is concerned about Communism in the United States. 100 Things You Should Know about Communism - Prepared and released by the Committee on Un-American Activities, US House of Representatives Washington DC, 1949 1) What is communism? A system by which one small group seeks to rule the world. 2) Has any nation ever gone Communist in a free election? No 3) Then how do Communists try to get control? Legally or illegally, any way they can. Communism’s first big victory was through a bloody revolution. Every one since has been by military conquest, or internal corruption, or the threat of these. 4) What would happen if communism should come into power in this country? Our capital would move from Washington to Moscow. Every man, woman, and child would come under Communist discipline. 5) Would I be better off than I am now? No. 6) Could I change my job? No, you would work where you are told, at what you are told, for wages fixed by the Government. 7) Could I go to school? You could go to the kind of school Communists tell you to, AND NOWHERE ELSE. You could only read what Communists let you, hear only what they let you, and as far as you could manage, only know what they let you.8)Could I own my own farm? No. Under Communism, the land is property of the Government, and the Government is run by Communists. You would farm the land under orders, and you could not make any decisions you could sell the produce of your work, or for how much.9) Could I own my own home?No. Under Communism, all real estate in the city as well as the country belongs to the government, which is in turn run by the Communists. Your living quarters would be assigned to you, and you would pay rent as ordered. This pamphlet was published by the US Congress. Do you think Americans in 1949 felt this was a trustworthy source? Why or why not? In your opinion, is this pamphlet meant to induce fear? Cite evidence from the text to support your claims. Picture Analysis On each of the flags describe how this painting is trying to scare the American Public.