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Chapter 18 Section 3. The Cold War at Home. Many Americans concerned about security of the US. Fear of Communist Influence. Many factors led to growing suspicion of Communism in the US. Fear of Communist Influence.
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Chapter 18 Section 3 The Cold War at Home
Many Americans concerned about security of the US Fear of Communist Influence
Many factors led to growing suspicion of Communism in the US Fear of Communist Influence
1945- 2 State Department workers stole classified documents and passed them to a pro-Soviet magazine Fear of Communist Influence
Republicans accused Truman administration of being soft on Communism Fear of Communist Influence
Investigate federal employees and dismiss those found to be disloyal to US govmt. Loyalty Review Board
Congress drew up a list of 92 subversive organizations Membership in these organizations would draw suspicion Loyalty Review Board
2,900 quit b/c they didn’t want to be investigated Said it was a violation of constitutional rights Loyalty Review Board
HUAC-hunted for communist spies inside and outside the US government House Committee on Un-American Activities
Hollywood did contain a number of: Communists Former Communists Socialists House Committee on Un-American Activities
HUAC subpoenaed 43 witnesses from the film industry The Hollywood 10
Decided not to cooperate with the committee-believed the hearings were unconstitutional The Hollywood 10
In response to hearings Hollywood instituted a Blacklist A list of people condemned for having a communist background The Hollywood 10
Passes in 1950 Made it illegal to plan any action that may lead to totalitarian dictatorship in the US McCarran Act
1948-Whittaker Chambers-a former communist spy-accuses Hiss of spying for the Soviets Alger Hiss
Too many years had passed Hiss could no longer be charged w/ espionage Alger Hiss
Richard Nixon gained fame for pursuing charges against Hiss Within 4 years he was vice-president Hiss claimed his innocence until his death Soviet documents prove his guilt in the 1990s Alger Hiss
September 23, 1949-Soviets explode atomic bomb The Rosenbergs
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg- implicated in helping a British scientist give the Soviets American atomic secrets The Rosenbergs
Rosenbergs denied charges Plead 5th amendment-so they would not incriminate themselves The Rosenbergs
Found guilty Given death penalty Executed in June 1953 The Rosenbergs
Republican senator from Wisconsin Joseph McCarthy
Made a number of accusations Lacked evidence This became known as McCarthyism- NOTE: He wanted an investigation, not a trial, an investigation searches for evidence, it doesn’t provide any…or else they wouldn’t need an investigation to find the evidence… McCarthy’s Tactics
Investigated US Army Televised investigation McCarthy’s Downfall