McCarthyism: The Red Scare and Witch Hunt of the 1950s

1. Watch 60 minutes 0-10:00 &19:00-22:30 Video 2:29

2. McCarthyism • When Soviets successfully tested atomic bomb in 1949, Red Scare intensified 2/12/1950 –Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin delivered Lincoln’s B-day speech in Wheeling, WV: “I have here a list of 205 names that were made known to sec. of state as being members of Communist Party & are still working in the State dept.” • 1st term Wisconsin Senator looking to get re-elected, Press ran story Triggered a 4 ½ yr crusade to hunt down alleged communists in govt. “FAKE NEWS” • No evidence or support to back his claim but it helped him get re-electedHe failed to unearth a single confirmed communist in govt but kept the country in turmoil • disgruntled federal employees who had axes to grind with their bosses accused them of being Communist –Witch Hunt!!!!! (video: sound smart: joseph McCarthy)

3. McCarthyism in Action • Secret of his power was the fear /other senators ran scared. • Cont. to claim communists were a threat at home & soon congressional hearings accusing anyone & everyone –became a witch hunt –people afraid to challenge him • Through Truman & Ike’s term (Ike’s advisors told him to use his great prestige to stop McCarthy & Ike said: “I will not get into a pissing contest w/ that skunk” • For weeks Americans watched him bully, harass & accuse enough good Americans that he finally lost power(McCarthyism-making of false accusations based on rumor) • Welsh an army lawyer exploded & said: “do you have no decency, sir?” Americans cheer! (320 falsely accused) • U.S. Senate censored him (worst punishment) died 3 yrs later virtually unnoticed & unmourned • one of the most shameful moments in modern U.S. history.

6. Duck & Cover

7. Fall Out Shelters in 1950’s • During the Cold War Americans felt threatened by the possibility of a nuclear war and sought ways to survive an attack. • Started in 1949 when Truman announced the USSR had successfully detonated an atomic bomb • In 1950 w/ introduction of Hydrogen Bomb fear grew (more powerful than atomic) • In 1957 fear grew worse when Report during IKE’s yrs said USSR had surpassed us in all Nuclear weaponry & Sputnik

8. Space Race • Oct. 4, 1957 (IKE) Soviets launched 1stsatellite to orbit earth (Sputnik) (watershed moment) • Show Sputnik Mania ipod 0-2:32 youtube • 1st artificial satellite to orbit the earth - Wake up call since our victory in WWII • Then days later the Russians revealed they had the Hydrogen bomb (10 x more destructive then Atomic bomb) -U.S. had detonated Hydrogen bomb in 1952 on a South Pacific Island.(operation Ivy) • A worried U.S. created NASA (National Aeronautical Space Administration) to study missile research & space exploration. • National Defense Education Act – provided $ for education in science & math (NDE)- (Feds enter public education for 1st time)

9. 1961 –Soviets had 1stastronaut orbit the earth (6 weeks later JFK committed to putting a man on the moon by end of decade) (400,000 people working for NASA & the Defense Department (Pentagon in NOVA) • 1962–John Glenn became 1stAmerican to orbit earth • 1969 – Apollo landed on the moon Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin (lunar module called “eagle” – “the eagle has landed”) Armstrong became the 1st man to walk on moonsaid: “That’s one small step for a man & one giant leap for mankind” • Show Moonshot pt.2 Landing on the moon 32:29-39:00 (stopped here mon) • Apollo sent 12 astronauts to the moon between 1969 – 1972 Sally Ride 1st Female Astronaut space travel led to Satellites, GPS, Robotics, space shuttle, Mars rover.

10. Explain the Korean War (victory, loss or stalemate) • How was 1949 a bad year for Containment Policy? • As a result of 1949 events what defensive organization was formed & why and what was the Soviet response to this organization? • How did the Soviets acquiring the bomb play out at home in the U.S.? • What was the watershed moment that resulted in NASA & the National Defense Education Act? • How did Kennedy respond to the Soviets having a man orbit the earth? Show inauguration speech • Who was John Glen, Neil Armstrong & Sally Ride?

11. Castro & Cuba • Cuba is American Protectorate ever since Spanish-American War & leasing Guantanamo Bay-right to interfere if U.S. feels threatened • 1933-1959 Cuba was ruled by military Dictator Batista • 1956 – guerrilla movement led by law student Fidel Castro began revolution • Castro’s revolt success & U.S. recognized new govt • Slowly relations with U.S. turn bad: why? • Mass public trials & executions (U.S. & UN denounce) • U.S. accepted thousands refugees fleeing execution • As a result, Castro seized businesses owned by Americans. $50 m – 100m • U.S. cut off trade (sugar) (embargo-huge hit) • Cuba welcomed Soviet advisors (yikes!) Communists too close for comfort /Khrushevev was expressing intent to build up Cuba’s military / Ike feared Soviets would use Cuba as a base from which to spread communism in W.Hemisphere

12. Bay of Pigs • During IKE’s term CIA training Cuban refugees for invasion of Cuba - Hoped invasion set off uprising to overthrow Castro (IKE 2 Terms) • JFK inaugurated 3 months later reluctantly agrees - as long as no U.S. troops used & canceled air support to keep U.S. involvement a secret (sure to fail w/ out air power!) (CIA misinformed President saying easy victory) • 4/17/61 1,400 Cuban exiles land southern coast Cuba known as Bay of Pigs (boats ran into coral reefs-sank & swam ashore) • Of 1,400 only 135 trained soldiers (others barely knew how to fire rifle) • Castro thought it was full invasion by US & sent full forces

13. Castrol surrounded invaders, captured & killed many of the 1,400 (no uprising)in 72hrs all captured or killed by Cubans. • Cuban refugees rotted in Cuban prison for 2 yrs before ransomed for $62 million in humanitarian supplies paid • After Bay of Pigs& covert Assassination attempts on Castro by CIA (exploding cigar, poisoned milkshake, scuba diving accident & poisoned pen) • Threatened by U.S. involvement Cuba became Communist & signed pact w/ USSR.

14. Cuban Missile Crisis • Khrushchev took advantage of U.S./Cuban strain by secretly & speedily installing nuclear-tipped missiles in Cuba. Did we do the same in Turkey? • (summer62) CIA reported 65 sites getting set up for missiles – missiles not installed yet (or so we thought) (1991 Soviet released documents state some were already there) (U-2 flight photos) • If missiles installed could reach U.S. in 3 minutes (greatest fear of Cold War) • JFK ordered naval blockade of Cuba so USSR couldn’t deliver missiles. • JFK told USSR to dismantle missile sites or face war (game chicken w/ Soviets) told Soviets any attack from Cuba would be seen as Soviet attack.

15. For an anxious week Americans prepared for Soviet ships to reach U.S. blockade • 12 Soviet ships heading toward Cuba w/ missiles (Americans held our breath) then soviet ships turned back • Soviets agree to dismantle as long as U.S. agrees not to invade Cuba. • Cold War tensions High (Game of Chicken: Khrushchev flinched) • agreement: missiles removed & U.S. leave Cuba alone - secret part: U.S. quietly promised to remove missiles in Turkey aimed at U.S.S.R.

17. Fall out for Khrushchev in USSR • Disgraced & run out of govt (Kremlin) & Khrushchev became an “unperson” • Moscow vowed never again to be humiliated in a nuclear face-off w/ U.S. & launched an enormous program of military expansion • Kennedy’s policy was known as détente–means “relaxation” in French (peaceful co-existence w/ USSR) • Watch commander in chief kennedy Cuban missile crisis itunes1:30-6:14 Intro, 11:09-13:44 USSR 9 mo. Earlier plotted to put missiles in Cuba, 17:30-27:04 Blockade idea & Blockade, 28:30-34:00 USSR ships going toward blockade, 34:00-38:11 Deal, 40:30-42:20 Ending, 44:10 speech by JFK

18. The Killing of Kennedy • (show beyond Conspiracy 10:31)11/22/63 –while riding in an open limousine in Dallas JFK was shot in brain & died w/ in seconds • LBJ sworn in on plane back to DC w/ Kennedy’s body. • Lee Harvey Oswald (Russian wife & lived in USSR) was caught in a theater after killing Dallas police officer & arrested then shot to death on camera by Jack Ruby LBJ finished last yr JFK & wins election of 1964 • Warren commission to investigate (communist plot /Castro? )(no evidence to prove plot)

19. Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society • Domestic policy included war on poverty, civil rights, & voting rights • “Create an America in which all people had food, clothes, & a job and race didn’t keep a person from advancement” LBJ • In memory of JFK, passed Civil Rights Act of 1964no segregation in public • Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Outlawed Literacy Tests, poll taxes & other intimidation tactics & allowed Feds to oversee voter registrations (show history.com) • Medicare – health insurance for elderly(added to Social Security) (why?) • Medicaid – medical benefits for poor(added to Social Security) (why?) • Goal was to finish FDR’s New Deal (LBJ believed was interrupted by World War II) (30:00 pt. 7 presidents)

21. Vietnam Background • 2,000 yrs of Vietnam resisting foreign control (China, France, Japan, France again & now US) • Japan occupied Vietnam during WWII (taking if from the French who had it as a colony before WWII) • After WWII, France came to reclaim old colony (called Indochina) • Vietnamese Nationalist Ho Chi Min appeals to U.S. (@ Versailles & after WWII) & when U.S. ignores him, he turns to Communists (China & USSR) for support against French. • France fighting Communist rebels but quit in 1954 – Geneva Accords – Vietnam divided at 17th Parallel (N. Vietnam led by communist Ho Chi Minh & S. Vietnam led by Bao Dai (very corrupt) (democracy)

22. U.S. Involvement (escalation) in Vietnam • 1950s IKE sent $ to S. Vietnam (Containment) • 1961 Kennedy ordered 15,000 advisors into Vietnam-compared to today 5,000 advisors in Iraq • After JFK death,LBJdetermined not to let SE Asia fall to communism (Containment) stepped up US troops in 1964 -28,000 troops 1965-184,000 (6 times higher in one yr) 1969-541,000 Troops

23. Used Tonkin Gulf Incident • Used Tonkin Gulf Incident(1964) to win support - North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked US destroyer in international waters (used this to increase troops) Later learned destroyer might have been in enemy waters & aiding S. Vietnam in spying & commando raids or might have never been attacked (lie to escalate war) • Tonkin Gulf Resolution – Congress gave Johnson blank check (worded very vague) to do what was necessary to keep communist from taking over S. Vietnam “The American Flag has been fired upon & we cannot tolerate such a thing” • LBJ– success because his approval ratings shot up from 42% to 72% - begins Rolling Thunder = more bombs dropped than all WWII

25. Vietnam’s History • Ho Chi Min v. Bao Diem • Geneva Accords & France’s involvement • IKE did what in Vietnam • JFK did what in Vietnam • LBJ did what in Vietnam • Tonkin Gulf incident & Resolution (Blank Check) • “Rolling Thunder” by LBJ • Tet Offensive (turning point of U.S. opinions)

26. Tet Offensive • Ho Chi Min Trail – into Laos & Campodia • (1/31/68) – Tet was Buddhist celebration of New Year & farmers arriving for celebration. • Coffins filled w/ weapons & farmers carrying in supplies for celebration hidden under rice truck were weapons. They were Vietcong & that night launched attack on 100 towns in S. Vietnam & 12 U.S. air bases (turning point)(N.Vietnam planning 7 months)Tet Offesive 6:57– 10:00 • LBJ says he won’t run again –Nixon wins Presidency on “Peace w/ honor” (3 yr peace talks but no success) new revelations: (Nixon met w/ S.Vietnam told them to hold out) 1:31

27. Stopped here tues • LBJ says he won’t run again –Nixon wins Presidency on “Peace w/ honor” (3 yr peace talks but no success) new revelations: (Nixon met w/ S.Vietnam told them to hold out) • Nixon’s Vietnamization – slowly withdraw 540,000 troops & let S. Vietnam take over burden, • But aid with massive bombing tactics not only in Vietnam but extended to Cambodia & Laos. *secret* • American people angered more by widening of war on 2 neutral countries. (When promised to drawdown war) (2nd lie by our govt)

28. Vietnam Protests at home & the end of the war • By 1970, Vietnam conflict had become longest in history (been on going since 1961) by1970 only 29% Americans support war. • April 1970 Nixon ordered U.S. forces to clear out the enemy of neutral Cambodia & Laos. • (instead of ending war he expanded it) (broken campaign promise-another lie) • Students at home responded (riots, protests, rebellions) (1/3 of all college campuses having protests)

29. Kent State protest (National Guard fired into crowd killing 4)(one of students was just going to class) (From Boston Massacre to bonus army to Vietnam - never popular when troops fire on protestors) • By June 1970 Nixon removed troops from Cambodia • w/ public pressure intense: Senate repealed Tonkin Gulf Resolution= Blank Check of 1964 later pass War Powers Act 1973- 48hrs to notify Congress & if no declaration of war then remove troops in 60 days. • Spring 1971 Rallies & protests intensified (66% Americans wanted out)Watch Peace w/ Honor Vietnam HD 17:38-20:12

30. Pulled out finally in Jan. 27, 1973– (Paris Peace Accords) • 2.5 m. Americans served in Vietnam & avg age 22 • 58,272 died - • S. Vietnam who has been receiving U.S. $ since 1954 are cut off from aid by 74% (can’t hold out against Communists) • 2 yrs later March 1975 S. Vietnam fell to Communist N. Vietnam (still Communist today)(50, 000 S. Vietnamese flee out into the open sea hoping to be rescued) • It wasn’t until 1995 that we officially recognized Socialist Republic of Vietnam 1st ambassador was a POW for 6yrs (Vietnam has now initiated profit motive by returning private property and private business) during Clinton presidency • Peace w/ Honor Vietnam HD 26:00-28:00 & show Peace w/ Honor 32:49-to end)

31. Watergate start here • June 17, 1972 - 5 men caught breaking into Democratic headquarters at Watergate Apartments • Men intended to photograph documents & plant bugs • Men were all campaign workers hired to re-elect Nixon (Republican) (dead giveaway was men wearing suits) • White House denied any connection (more lies by our govt: Tonkin Gulf incident, win election on ending war & then escalate it & now Watergate)

32. Steps taken to cover-up who in White House connected to burglars • shredded documents, destroyed tapes, asked & coerced FBI to stop investigation & men caught were paid to keep silence • 2 Washington reporters continued probe (Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein) • Nixon re-elected to 2nd term but cloud remained (press cont. to probe)

33. Watergate exposed • Pressure on Congress to start hearings : • an aid revealed that there was a taping system to record conversations in the Oval Office. • Congress Subpoenas tapes & Nixon refuses under executive privilege – case goes to Supreme Court • The Supreme Court (9-0) ordered him to release the tapes. (U.S. v. Nixon) • Finally under intense investigation w/ White House tapes seized & Congressional hearings start Impeachment proceedings (obstruction of justice -18 min cut out of tapes) • Nixon resignedwhen H of R approved impeachment proceedings (1st ever to resign) Show America the Story of Us: Millenium 4:25 – 10:00 (11:15-13:13 Watergate)

34. It was clear Nixon presidency involved in serious manipulation and abuses of power for years • The investigation into Watergate scandal Summary revealed that Nixon knew about the break-in from the beginning and that he was involved in the cover-up as it progressed. • Mark Felt in 2005 admitted being the “Deep Throat”= informant for the Washington Post reporters (worked high up in FBI & upset when passed over to head up FBI when J Edgar Hoover retired. & angered by Nixon’s attempt to manipulate the FBI to stop investigations.) • Show America the Story of Us: Millenium 4:25 – 10:00 (11:15-13:13 Watergate)