Exam question- point 1- McCarthyism/ red scare

Who was McCarthy and what was his claims?

A senator who claimed to possess a list of 205 card-carrying Communists employed in the U.S. Department of State in Feb 1950

How many card- carrying employees did his claim was in?

205

When did McCarthy start his claim?

February 1950

Why did people lack trust in the government?

They thought Truman policies could be influenced by infiltrators

What did people force Truman to do?

Adopt an ‘Asia first’ attitude and take a more proactive approach to communism

Why did America want an ‘Asia first’ attitude?

Europe was now protected by Asia was less secure

What did McCarthy conduct?

Hearings on communist subversion in America and investigated alleged communist infiltration of the Armed Forces

What did American leaders told people in the early 1950s?

They should be fearful of subversive Communist influence in their lives

Why did no-one argue with McCarthy?

Fear of being labelled disloyal

What committee investigated allegation of subversive elements in the government?

House Un-American Activities Committee

What was the Rosenburg case?

Couple arrested on 18th July 1950 as part of an investigation into who passed atomic bomb secrets to the Soviets