House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)

• Temporary committee of the House of Representatives created in 1938 to monitor the activities of foreign agents. (Made a standing committee in 1945)

• Conducted widely publicized investigations of alleged subversive influences on American life during the 1940s and '50s.

• Frequently accused of using reckless and unfair tactics.• Called the Dies Committee, after its first

chairman, Martin Dies, Jr., who aroused controversy by his charges of widespread disloyalty among government employees.• Best known for its anti-Communist Best known for its anti-Communist

investigations, often referred to as investigations, often referred to as witch-witch-huntshunts by opponents of the committee. by opponents of the committee.

• In 1947, led by Rep. Parnell, it began hearings on Communist influence in the film industry. • The result was the imprisonment of a

group of actors and writers known as the Hollywood Ten.• In 1948-49, future president Nixon

became known for his role in the committee's investigation of the alleged Soviet spy Alger Hiss .

• The HUAC became less active in the 1960’s; its name was changed to the Committee on Internal Security in 1969.• It was abolished in 1975.

Joseph Raymond Joseph Raymond McCarthy (1908-57)McCarthy (1908-57)

• American politician, who led a campaign against Communist subversion in the early 1950s.• In February of 1950, he made the

charge that the Department of State had been infiltrated by Communists.

• His accusation was never substantiated, but during the next three years he repeatedly accused various high-ranking officials of subversive activities. • In 1953, as chairman of the Senate

subcommittee on investigations, McCarthy continued his probe of alleged Communist activities.• In April 1954 he accused the secretary of

the army of concealing foreign espionage activities.

• In rebuttal the secretary stated that members of the subcommittee staff had threatened army officials.• During the ensuing Senate investigations,

which were widely publicized in the press and given nationwide radio and television coverage, McCarthy was cleared of the charges against him.

• However, he was censured by the Senate for the methods he had used in his investigations and for his abuse of certain senators and Senate committees.• His influence both in the Senate and on

the national political scene diminished steadily thereafter, though he remained a senator until his death.