Domestic Anti-Communist Hysteria during the Early Cold War Era

Domestic Anti-Communist Hysteria during the Early Cold War Era

Government Promotes “Civil Defense” Ex: “Duck & Cover” Drills in schools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0K_LZDXp0I

“Loyalty Oaths”

Required for all

Federal Workers

Executive Order 9835

Pres. TrumanMarch 1947

Politicians seeks to “root out subversives” – Example:House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Hearings - 1947

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfKSykTPzA4

“Blacklisting” of accused Communists ruins reputations

Ex: The “Hollywood Ten”

Trial of Federal Workers Julius & Ethel Rosenberg“Infiltration” of Communists Seems Real

Couple Executed in 1953 based on controversial evidence

“McCarthyism”

•Phenomenon of early 1950’s illustrates fear & paranoia

•Definition:Unfairly accusing people of disloyaltymade possible in a climate of fear

The Rise & Fall Of Sen. Joseph McCarthy

"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep in our history and

doctrine and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the

moment unpopular. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot

escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of the Republic to

abdicate his responsibility."

TV JournalistEdward R. MurrowPublicly criticizes“McCarthyism” In March, 1954

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQQaX2h1plo

Communist expansion overseas & into space brings fear of communist “menace” to America

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/09/24/science/space/1194817120962/sputnik-s-legacy.html