McCarthyism, New Look & Nuclear weapons

When was McCarthy censured and by whom?

2 December 1954 — Joseph McCarthy was censured by the US Senate, effectively ending his political influence

Did McCarthy create McCarthyism?

No. Anti-communist fear already existed. He intensified and exploited it

What was HUAC and when was it established?

House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) was established on 25 May 1930 to investigate suspected communist influence in the United States.

Which Hollywood figures testified before HUAC in 1947?

• Gary Cooper

• Ronald Reagan (then President of the Screen Actors Guild)

Who were the Hollywood Ten?

Ten writers and directors who refused to testify before HUAC in 1947. They were jailed and blacklisted.

Why was the Alger Hiss case significant (1948)?

• Alger Hiss was accused of spying by Whittaker Chambers.

• Investigated strongly by Richard Nixon.

• Hiss was convicted of perjury and sent to prison.

➡ It reinforced fears that communists had infiltrated the US government.

Why was 1949 a “double blow” to the USA?

1. USSR developed an atomic bomb.

2. China fell to communism under Mao Zedong.

➡ Americans feared communism was spreading globally and threatening US security.

When and where did McCarthy make his famous speech?

9 February 1950 at the McClure Hotel in Wheeling, West Virginia, claiming he had a list of communists in the State Department.

How did grassroots support help McCarthy?

• He appealed to ordinary Americans.

• Used populist, anti-establishment rhetoric.

• Attacked elite figures like Dean Acheson.

• Portrayed himself as defending “real Americans.”

How did Republican Party support help McCarthy

• Republicans used him to weaken Harry S. Truman and the Democrats.

• After losing the 1948 election, McCarthy’s attacks helped damage Truman’s credibility.

How did Truman unintentionally help McCarthyism?

• In 1947 Truman signed Executive Order 9835 (the “Loyalty Order”).

• It allowed investigations into federal employees for communist ties.

➡ This legitimised fears of communist infiltration.

How did the press contribute to McCarthyism?

• Anti-communism made dramatic headlines.

• The press was less critical and adversarial at the time.

• Gave McCarthy wide publicity.

How did J. Edgar Hoover support McCarthy?

• J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, strongly supported anti-communist investigations.

• Shared information and encouraged suspicion of communist infiltration.