RED SCARE-MCCARTHYISM

What are the events and cases of the 1940s that convinced many that there were Communist subversives operating in the United States?

• House on Un-American activities (HUAC) reports on possible spies in the treasury dept in the 1930s 

• 1948 (Alger hiss was accused of being a soviet spy by whittaker chambers) 

• Accusations made in HUAC hearing, unlikely to stick, except one HAC member kept in pursuit -> richard nixon. Hiss convicted of perjury

Identify the two great shocks of 1949.

• 1. Soviets gets atomic bomb 

• 2. China fell to communists

What effect did the Red Scare have on domestic political debate in the US?

• Politician began using foreign policy against opponents

• "red-baiting"

• “Politics of anti-communism” DEM and REP will accuse each other of being “soft on communism”

Why did Harry Truman decide not to run for re-election in 1952?

• President harry truman decides not to run 

• 1. Stalemate in korea 

• 2. Joe mccarthy 

• 3. Lost new hamsphere primary to estes kefauver

Although popular with voters, 

why did Estes Kefauver fail to gain the Democratic nomination?

Kefauver was very popular because of organized crime hearings he chaired. Shown in movie theaters. The issue: Kefauver, is not popular with democratic party bosses; the reason, he uncovered the links between mafia and mid western democratic party bosses, therefore he was not nominated.

What differences were present as the Republican Party candidates battled for the nomination?  

• Moderates - east coast

• -interventionalist in foreign affairs 

• -For the New Deal(to popular to get rid of)

• -Eisenhower nominee

• vs.

• Conservative -

• Abolish the new wing 

•  west coast

• -isolationalism

Taft nominee

Why was Richard Nixon chosen for the Vice-Presidential candidacy?  What almost led to Nixon being dropped midway through the campaign? 

• Richard Nixon was a conservative republican

• -Moderate republicans wanted to bridge the gap between them

Army-McCarthy hearings 1954

army dentist who had attended communist meetings in the 1930s-> convinced that the army was riddled with communists including george marshall. Hearings are seen on TV, the audience got to see McCarthy's real side. Censured by the senate in 1954.

Klaus Fuchs

espionage conviction. Fuchs had worked on the Manhattan Project, giving soviet information since 1941. Arrested in Britain and sentenced to 15 years.