McCarthyism

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The growing fear of communism

A second “Red Scare” took place in the years after the Second World War until the mid 1950s

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Reasons why the fear of communism was growing

The Soviet Union developed nuclear weapons. They were rival superpowers with very different political systems. Was a concern that the rivalry could develop into a nuclear war (the Cold War). Many countries in Eastern Europe were under the communist influence of the Soviet Union, Americans worried that it might spread to the USA. The US government vowed to stop the spread of communism using the policy of “containment”. A member of the US government (Alger Hiss) was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Americans Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were found guilty of spying and were executed in June 1953

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House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee

A US government group (HUAC) began searching for communists in the US government, in workplaces, in the media, in the movie industry. President Truman introduced a Loyalty Programme that allowed the FBI to investigate all government employees and sack any “security risks”. Millions of Americans were investigated by the HUAC and the Loyalty Programme between 1947-1950. None were found guilty of spying but were forced out their jobs

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McCarthyism

1950 : Politician Joseph McCarthy used the fear of communism to help his political career by claiming he had a list of over 200 communists working for the government. Caused a sensation and McCarthy’s list was front page news. Many saw anti-communist McCarthy as a hero. The next five years, McCarthy waged a campaign of investigations. Some likened it to a “witch hunt”. People who criticised him were accused of being supporters of communism, could get them sacked. 1954 : McCarthy accused 45 army officers of being communist. He had one evidence, began to lose support