Notes 4/6 - McCarthyism, and more

Joseph McCarthy

U.S. senator who led anti-communist investigations in the 1950s

McCarthyism

Baseless accusations of communism using fear

Arthur Miller

The Crucible author; criticized McCarthyism

The Crucible

Play comparing Red Scare to Salem witch trials

Dean Acheson

Secretary of State targeted during Red Scare

McCarran Internal Security Act

Required registration of communist ties

Army-McCarthy Hearings

Public hearings that exposed McCarthy’s lack of evidence

Censure of McCarthy

Senate formally condemned McCarthy

Checkers Speech

Nixon used TV to deny corruption accusations

Eisenhower

1952 president; promoted moderate Republican policies

Modern Republicanism

Keep some New Deal programs, limit expansion

Political Shift (1950s)

Party changes begin; Democrats split over civil rights

Conformity

Pressure to fit social norms in 1950s

Cult of Domesticity

Women expected to stay home and raise families

Baby Boom

Large population growth shaping suburban society