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The Communist Menace

The Communist Menace. 1947 By: J. Edgar Hoover. Background Information. Founder of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its current form and was the director for 48 years

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The Communist Menace

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  1. The Communist Menace 1947 By: J. Edgar Hoover

  2. Background Information • Founderof the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its current form and was the director for 48 years • Known to be supporter of civil rights and liberties and in contrast was known for abusing his position and using unwarranted political persecution • A graduate of George Washington University where he received a law degree • He never married and has been rumored to have been homosexual he had a close male companion, Clyde Tolson, of more than 40 years and both were lifelong bachelors • Hoover devoted most of his career to uncovering subversive activities which probably led to his obsession with Communism

  3. Background Information cont. • Huge supporter of the HUAC (House of Un-American Activities Committee) • Hoover was thought to have used the investigations into political corruption as a way to gain power over prominent political officials • He had a collection on all of America’s leading politicians known as Hoover’s secret files, the files were used to influence the actions of these politicians…these files were destroyed by his close friend Clyde Tolson shortly after his death on May 2, 1972. He died while still in office.

  4. Hoover, Royal Miller, Clyde Tolson, and Joseph McCarthy

  5. The Communist Menace Main Points • The Communists of the United States are here to overthrow the American way of life and democracy. - “The Communist movement in the United States…stands for the destruction of free enterprise; and it stands for the creation of a “Soviet of the United States” and ultimate world revolution.”

  6. Main Points cont. • There is a reason to be scared, the size of the American Communist party means nothing. There influence is much greater. BE AFRAID! “What is important is the claim of the Communists themselves that for every party member there are 10 others ready, willing, and able to do the party’s work. Herein lies the greatest menace of communism. For these are the people who infiltrate and corrupt various spheres of American life. So rather than the size of the Communist Party the way to weigh its true importance is by testing its influence, its ability to infiltrate.” “…when the Communists overthrew the Russian government there was one Communist for every 2,277 persons in Russia. In the United States today there is one Communist for every 1,814 persons in the country…” • Many good Americans are prone to be duped by the Communists’ trickery and double talk.

  7. Historical Significance • The Anti-Communist movement was very big at the time the document was written. • He was addressing the HUAC • Hoover himself had a big impact on society • Really hurt liberals or anyone who got in the way

  8. Questions to consider… • Was there are real threat of Communism in America? • During the Anti-Communist movement the civil liberties of many Americans were threatened, are we experiencing the same threats now with the war on terrorism?

  9. References • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhooverE.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Edgar_Hoover

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