12 – 4 The Cold War at Home

Lesson Objective:

Focus on how fear of communism in the U.S. affected all facets of American society during the Cold War.

RED SCARE - U.S. feared that Communists were trying to take over the world. Loyalty Review

Program - Screen all employees who worked for federal govt.

HUAC - House of Rep. in Congress created the HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE which probed govt., armed forces, education, science, newspapers and other aspects of American life, looking for communists.

Smith Act - Used to cripple the Communist Party in the U.S. by making it unlawful to teach or advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. govt. 11 people convicted, and sent to prison. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07buRRJ6s4k

Blacklisted – List of persons suspected of being

involved in communist activities,

prevented from being hired for

employment. Esp. relevant to

entertainment industry.

Hollywood Ten– Group of left-wing (liberal)

writers, directors, producers who refused to

answer questions, using the 5th amendment

rights against self-incrimination.

Alger Hiss -- American diplomat convicted of perjury,(lying under oath), accused of being a spy.

Julius/Ethel Rosenberg - American couple accused of heading Soviet spy ring. Executed.

J. Edgar Hoover – FBI director . Urged HUAC to investigate Communist sympathizers, esp. in Hollywood.

J. Robert Oppenheimer – Scientist who helped create the atomic bomb for U.S. Suspected of being disloyal to U.S. since his wife and brother had ties to Communist Party.

Joe McCarthy - Senator from Wisconsin, proclaimed “ Communists were a danger at home and abroad.” Did more to worry ordinary Americans about Communism than any other person.

McCarthyism - McCarthy's tactic of damaging reputations with vague and unfounded charges related to participation with Communist party.