Study Notes on the New Red Scare

Section Four: The New Red Scare

Overview of the New Red Scare

  • The New Red Scare refers to the heightened fear and paranoia regarding communism in the United States in the 1950s.

  • This Red Scare was significantly worse than the one experienced in the 1920s, characterized by increased paranoia and fear of communistic ideology.

Historical Context

  • Previous Red Scare (1920s):

    • Background and circumstances surrounding the first Red Scare in the 1920s.

  • New Red Scare (1950s):

    • The fear originated from potential communist influences entering the U.S. through immigrants, particularly those from impoverished European countries.

    • Immigrants and Communism:

    • Poor immigrants may be more sympathetic to communist ideologies due to the promise of wealth redistribution from the rich to the working class, which communism supports.

    • The societal context: The aftermath of the Great Depression led many to question capitalism as a viable system, enhancing the public’s potential sympathy toward communism.

Global Spread of Communism

  • Communism in the International Landscape:

    • The rise of communism in various regions:

    • China, Eastern Europe, North Korea, and the Soviet Union.

    • The global proliferation of communism heightened fears within the U.S.

The Communist Manifesto

  • Key takeaways from Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto:

    • Ominous Quote by Marx: “Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.”

    • The quote suggests that workers worldwide should unite for a revolution to take over governments.

    • The implication was a call for sweeping change, raising fears in American society about worker revolt leading to a potential takeover of the U.S. government.

  • Concerns among Americans:

    • Americans worried about the expansion of labor unions and the possibility that they could unite and overthrow the government, leading to drastic consequences.

Government Response to Communism

  • President Truman’s Measures:

    • In response to the rising fears, President Truman initiated several programs aimed at preventing the infiltration of communism into American government institutions.

    • Federal Employee Loyalty Program:

    • Employed rigorous questioning of government workers to identify potential communists.

    • Example questions included:

      • Current political office holders, capital of the country, number of stars on the American flag, and national bird.

    • Resulted in the firing of approximately 3,000 government employees suspected of communist affiliation.

The Smith Act

  • Introduction of the Smith Act:

    • Legislation that made it illegal to teach and advocate for communism or the overthrow of the U.S. government.

    • While not illegal to join the Communist Party, discussing and promoting these ideas publicly became illegal.

  • First Amendment Limitations:

    • Although the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, limitations apply where speech may incite a “clear and present danger.”

    • Government argued a clear and present danger existed from the presence of communist sympathizers.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

  • Formation of HUAC:

    • Established to investigate individuals and organizations suspected of having communist ties.

    • Conducted aggressive interrogations of suspected individuals, including writers and directors in Hollywood.

  • The Hollywood Ten:

    • A group of ten Hollywood writers and directors who refused to testify about their political affiliations, invoking their Fifth Amendment rights.

    • The outcome for these individuals included being blacklisted from the industry, making it nearly impossible to find work thereafter.

Hysteria of the 1950s

  • Definition of Hysteria:

    • Hysteria refers to an unjustified fear that escalates and spreads uncontrollably.

  • Contemporary Example of Hysteria:

    • A recent school lockdown due to unfounded fears of a gunman, leading to widespread panic and emotional distress, illustrates how hysteria can manifest.

  • Historical Context:

    • Similar instances of hysteria in U.S. history, including the Salem Witch Trials, reflect this pattern of irrational fears leading to wrongful accusations and actions.

Notable Individuals and Incidents

  • Impact on notable figures:

    • Prominent individuals like Oppenheimer and George Marshall faced scrutiny and suspicion due to their perceived associations with communism.

  • Actual Cases of Espionage:

    • Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were significant individuals connected to communist espionage within the U.S. government, leading to their trials and convictions.

    • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for passing atomic bomb secrets to the Soviets.

  • The fear of communism was indeed rooted in actual events but became exaggerated during the Red Scare, leading to unjust persecution of many individuals based on mere suspicion.

Conclusion

  • The New Red Scare illustrates how societal fears can lead to sweeping government actions and social hysteria, affecting careers and lives on a massive scale. The investigation and accusations during this period raised significant questions about civil liberties and the balance between national security and individual rights.