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The Reds are invading

The Reds are invading. Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b. The Second Red Scare. Feared that Communism would take over the world 1949 – China becomes Communist 1949 – Russia builds their own nuclear bomb

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The Reds are invading

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  1. The Reds are invading Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b

  2. The Second Red Scare • Feared that Communism would take over the world • 1949 – China becomes Communist • 1949 – Russia builds their own nuclear bomb • 1950 – Communist North Korea tries to defeat South Korea and the U.S. • NK receives military and financial help from the Soviet Union and China

  3. Communism in America • Great Depression - Americans joined the Communist Party, • legal organization • During and after WWII, the economy improved • Trust Stalin (No Way!!!) • Communists quit their support of the party • pasts came back to haunt them

  4. Loyalty Programs • Federal Employee Loyalty Program in 1947 • New government employees were checked for possible disloyalty • Accusation enough to get someone fired or prevented from getting a job • Millions were investigated, several hundred removed from their jobs, few arrests Pledge of Allegiance????

  5. Communist Spies in America • Alger Hiss • State Department official • accused of being a spy – convicted of perjury (lying to the court) • Ethel and Julius Rosenberg • accused of passing atomic secrets • convicted and then executed in 1953 • Recently released secret Soviet records indicate that Hiss and Julius Rosenberg were guilty, while Ethel was probably innocent

  6. H.U.A.C. • The House Un-Americans Activities Committee • investigated Communist infiltration of Government agencies and the Hollywood movie industry • Many in Hollywood used to be, or still were Communists • Hollywood & Government encouragement, had even made pro-Soviet Union films during the war • Uncle Joe was considered to be a friend of America

  7. Hollywood writers and directors were called before the Committee Witnesses made outrageous and unsubstantiated accusations “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Hollywood 10 refused to answer any questions, invoking their Constitutional Rights They had to serve jail terms for 6 months to a year Movie studios compiled a blacklist Names who should not be hired because of possible Communist ties or because they opposed the idea of a blacklist

  8. The Texas State Legislature made it a felony to belong to the Communist Party – up to 20 years in prison The Texas Governor threatened to veto the bill – he thought the punishment should have been death In New York city, citizens had to pledge their loyalty for a fishing license In Indiana, professional wrestlers were required to take a loyalty oath In 1954, it became illegal to be a Communist – the bill passed Congress by a combined vote of 365 – 2 Examples

  9. Joseph McCarthy Objective: Analyze the role of Communism in America Std 11.9.3a&b

  10. Joseph McCarthy A. “Tailgunner Joe” • Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin elected 1946 • 1950 feared reelection in 1952 • “Tailgunner Joe”: WWII vet, but a low level paper pusher in intelligence • Ideas against Communism • Opposed public housing (in support of real estate cos.) • Publicly defended Nazi war criminals on trial for death (to woo German Americans

  11. Red-Baiting to Power • Feb. 1950: Wheeling, WV, speech before Women’s Republican Club • Reason for US impotence in containment: • traitors collaborating w/enemy, • State Department overrun w/Communist spies • Holds up a piece of paper and claims “205 names” • # came from a HUAC list of accused officials

  12. Appeal of McCarthyism for Public • 1. Appealed to a variety of fears (catch-all all negative changes after WWII: women, blacks, union activism, economic slump), never able to point to a specific action: accusations empty, but seemed to have substance • 2. Americans wanted to believe (conspiracy mind-set helps to make sense of a complicated world) • 3. Anti-communism had deep roots in American history and psyche (always more concerned about the Left than the Right; 1st Red Scare)

  13. The End of McCarthy • In the end, presented a list of only 9 names (and only 4 in State Dept.) to Senate Committee denounced as a fraud and hoax • Saved when chief opponent, Millard Tydings (D. MD) lost seat in election “proof” of power • With election of Ike in ’52, Republicans hoped he would give it up (almost no one really believed there were spies election year tactic): didn’t

  14. The Downfall of McCarthy • Famous broadcaster Edward R. Murrow publicly challenged McCarthy’s character and accusation on his national television show • McCarthy charged members of the Army of being Communist sympathizers – he had gone too far • Millions of Americans watched McCarthy crumble in the Army-McCarthy hearings over a span of several weeks • The word McCarthyism has come to mean unfair and untrue accusations to make a person look bad

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