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McCarthyism. THE RED SCARE OF COMMUNISM. Alliance with Soviet Union ended Cold War set in The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in full swing. World War II Ended. HUAC Agenda (1947)-- The Witch Hunts. Prove the Screen Writer’s Guild had communist members
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McCarthyism THE RED SCARE OF COMMUNISM
Alliance with Soviet Union ended Cold War set in The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in full swing World War II Ended
HUAC Agenda (1947)-- The Witch Hunts • Prove the Screen Writer’s Guild had communist members • Hoped to prove writer’s inserted treasonous propaganda in Hollywood films • Lastly, J. Parnell Thomas (head of committee) argued Roosevelt had encouraged pro-Soviet films through duration of war
Hollywood “10” 3 options*Claim to never have been members of the Communist Party*Admit to membership of said party*Plead the 5th Held in Contempt; serve year in jail Blacklisted
Hollywood RespondsHollywood Exec’s released statement: “We, will not knowingly employ a Communist or a member of any party or group which advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force, or by any illegal or unconstitutional method.”
The Unofficial Blacklist 1951-1954, directed by John S. Wood 324 current or former Hollywood workers 212 working, but lost jobs
Bank Involvement During war--banks were loose with funds During the “Red Scare”--pressure on banks Push for conservative films--no social commentary In fact, anti-Communist feel Censorship and Monitoring of Content--Big Push!! Production Code Administration (PCA)
Joseph McCarthy Senator of Wisconsin 1950--claims the name of 81 communist in State Department McCarran Act (Internal Security Act of 1950)*Authorizes concentration camps*Truman originally vetoed the legislation (Truman noted as Un-American) Led second wave of HUAC hearings
Smear Campaigning • 1947 McCarthy Elected • Immediately began investigations into State Dept. • Weakened character of opponents for re-election • Launched fear of communist penetration • Smear campaigning (picked up from Nixon)
Entertainers Subpoenaed Orson Welles Lucille Ball Dashielle Hammett Lillian Hellman (All of the above were pressured to name Names!!)
Communism in the Army? Robert Stevens confrontation with McCarthy Investigations Army receives vindication
McCarthy Trials End 1954--Senate Votes 67-22 to censure McCarthy “Conduct contrary to Senatorial tradition”--abuse of powers 1957--McCarthy dies at the Naval Medical Center in Maryland at age 48