1 of 4

Anti-Communism at Home

2 of 4

Fear of Communist Influence

​

3 of 4

I. Fear of Communist Influence

  • In climate of Cold War, Americans feared that members of the Communist party would be loyal to the Soviets
  • Smith Act (1940) - made it a criminal offense to advocate violent overthrow of the government
  • Truman established the Federal Employees Loyalty and Security Program
  • House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) – Congressional committee that investigated possible Communist influence
      • Targeted Hollywood, fearing movies would spread Communist propaganda
      • Actors suspected of being Communist were blacklisted
  • McCarran Act – required the registration of Communist organizations with the United States
  • Famous spy cases:
    • Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs (the latter were convicted and executed for selling atomic secrets to the Soviets)

​

4 of 4

II. Senator Joseph McCarthy Launches a “Witch Hunt”

  • “He may be a Communist…”
    • Needed a popular issue to help him win 1952 re-election – took advantage of people’s concerns about Communism
    • Made accusations that there were hundreds of Communists in the State Department – he never produced a single name or any evidence
    • Techniques became known as McCarthyism
    • When challenged, he would respond with another accusation
    • McCarthy’s 1954 downfall:
      • Made accusations against U.S. Army, resulting in televised hearings
      • His bullying of witnesses caused Senate to condemn him for improper conduct
      • Became an alcoholic and died three years later
  • McCarthy Interview

​