8.3 The Second Red Scare: Domestic Anti-Communism in the US

The Second Red Scare

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the causes and effects of the Red Scare after World War II.

Background

  • The Second Red Scare occurred just after World War II.
  • It focused on rooting out Soviet communism within the United States.

Efforts to Root Out Communism

  • Initial efforts focused on labor unions and the federal government.
  • These efforts required individuals to pledge loyalty to the United States and deny communist affiliations.
Taft-Hartley Act of 1947
  • Passed in response to widespread labor union strikes.
  • Made it more difficult for workers to strike.
  • Required union leaders to pledge they were not members of the Communist Party.
Federal Employee Loyalty and Security Program
  • Established by President Truman in 1947 through an executive order.
  • Federal employees had to swear they were not communist or fascist.
  • Allowed for federal investigations into the political affiliations of federal workers.
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
  • Formed in the House of Representatives to search for communist influence in American society.
  • Focused significantly on Hollywood.
  • Feared that communists could use the film industry to spread their message.
Hollywood Ten
  • In 1947, ten prominent Hollywood directors were identified as communists.
  • They were summoned to testify before Congress but refused.
  • Held in contempt of Congress, resulting in short prison sentences.
  • Blacklisted, preventing them from finding work in the film industry again.

Senator Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism

Rise to Prominence
  • In 1950, McCarthy claimed to have the names of 205 known communists who had infiltrated the State Department.
  • Later, McCarthy claimed that the number was 57.
  • His accusations heightened the Red Scare, leading to the term "McCarthyism."
Senate Hearings and Censure
  • The Senate held meetings to allow McCarthy to prove his claims.
  • He was unable to provide sufficient evidence.
  • The Senate voted to censure him, leading to a decline in his influence.

The Rosenberg Case

Espionage Accusations
  • Following the Soviet Union's successful testing of its first atomic bomb on August 29, 1949, many Americans believed the Soviets had stolen scientific information from the US.
  • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were accused of espionage, specifically providing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.
  • The Rosenbergs were members of the Communist Party.
Trial and Execution
  • The United States government executed them in the electric chair in 1953.
  • Subsequent research suggested that at least Julius was a Soviet spy.

Effects of the Red Scare

  • Suppressed the freedom of labor unions.
  • Caused unemployment for Hollywood directors.
  • Increased Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States.