The Red Scare and Civil Rights in America (1945-1974)

These flashcards cover key terms, definitions, and concepts related to the Red Scare and civil rights in the USA from 1945 to 1974.

Red Scare

A period of hysteria and paranoia over the perceived threat posed by Communists in the U.S.

McCarthyism

A term used to describe anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s, characterizing the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Cold War

An ideological conflict between the USA and USSR characterized by propaganda, military buildup, and no direct fighting.

Communism

An economic and political system where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Capitalist democracy

A political system where the government is elected by the people and businesses are owned by private individuals.

Satellite State

A country that is formally independent but is actually under heavy influence or control of another country.

Truman Doctrine

A policy established in 1947 aimed at containing communism and providing support to countries resisting takeover.

Marshall Plan

A US program providing aid to Western Europe, intended to prevent the spread of communism after WWII.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The USA’s domestic intelligence and security service, responsible for investigating and combatting domestic threats.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

A committee of the US Congress formed to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities.

Hollywood Ten

A group of filmmakers who were blacklisted for refusing to testify before HUAC regarding their alleged communist affiliations.

Alger Hiss Case

A significant espionage case where a US State Department official was accused of being a communist spy.

Rosenberg Case

The trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the USSR.

McCarran Act

A law passed in 1950 that restricted the rights of communists in the USA and required communist organizations to register.

First Amendment

The amendment of the US Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

FBI Loyalty Program

A program initiated by the FBI to investigate the loyalty of federal employees to the USA.

Espionage

The practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities of a foreign government.

Blacklisted

Being marked as unacceptable and therefore not used, particularly in reference to individuals banned from employment.

Hearings

Sessions in which evidence is presented, often to a legislative body or committee regarding suspected disloyalty.

Joseph McCarthy

A Republican senator known for his aggressive anti-communist tactics and unfounded accusations against government officials.

The Iron Curtain

A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the division between communist and capitalist countries.

The Atomic Bomb

A weapon of mass destruction that the USA dropped on Japan, leading to a race for atomic weapons between the USA and USSR.

Containment

A US foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism worldwide.

Vietnam War

A conflict in Vietnam where the USA aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

Political Scandal - Watergate

The political scandal involving President Nixon, leading to his resignation and revealing deep corruption in the government.

Ideological Conflict

A struggle between sets of beliefs or value systems, particularly between capitalism and communism during the Cold War.

Hysteria

An exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, often surrounding specific social issues.

Persecution of Communists

The systemic mistreatment and oppression of individuals believed to be associated with communism.

Fear of Communism

A widespread anxiety among Americans during the Cold War that communism was a threat to their society and values.

Civil Rights Movement

A movement aimed at ending racial discrimination and gaining equal rights for African Americans.

Arms Race

A competition between nations to achieve superior military capability, especially between the USA and USSR.

Espionage Act

A federal law passed in 1917 aimed at punishing acts of espionage and protecting national security.

Cold War Fallout Shelter

Structures built during the Cold War intended to protect individuals from nuclear fallout.

Propaganda

Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Ideological Divide

The division of political beliefs and systems, particularly the division between capitalism and communism.

Equality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities, a fundamental aim of the Civil Rights Movement.

Counterculture

A cultural movement that rejects the values of mainstream society, especially in the 1960s youth culture.

Red Scare I (1919-1920)

The first Red Scare, characterized by anti-communist sentiment following the Russian Revolution.

Red Scare II (1950s)

The second wave of anti-communism in America during the late 1940s into the 1950s, particularly linked to McCarthyism.

Democrats

One of the two major political parties in the USA, generally more liberal or left-wing than Republicans.

Republicans

One of the two major political parties in the USA, generally more conservative or right-wing than Democrats.

Ideological Conflict

A clash of ideas, values, or beliefs, especially in context with the Cold War.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

Civil Rights Act

Landmark legislation in the USA that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Sit-Ins

A form of protest where participants occupy an area to promote a social change, commonly used in the Civil Rights Movement.

Détente

The easing of strained relations, especially between the USA and the USSR during the Cold War.