The Cold War and the Second Red Scare

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from the lecture on the Cold War and the Second Red Scare, providing definitions to assist with exam preparation.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States characterized by the absence of direct military conflict.

Truman Doctrine

A policy set forth by President Harry S. Truman to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War.

McCarthyism

A campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions, first initiated by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and its potential spread in the United States.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that conducted investigations into alleged communist activities.

Espionage

The practice of using spies to obtain secret or confidential information.

Federal Loyalty Program

A program initiated by President Truman to investigate government employees for communist sympathies.

Lavender Scare

The persecution of LGBTQ individuals in the federal government during the Red Scare.

Subversive

A term used to describe individuals or actions perceived as undermining established authority or norms.

Red Baiting

The tactic of accusing political opponents of being communists or sympathizing with communists.