Civil rights history

• What was the purpose of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) when it was established in 1938?

  To monitor groups suspected of un-American activities
• Who were selected as members of the HUAC?

  Members of Congress
• What significant action did HUAC take in the early 1940s?

  It began public hearings into the Communist Party of America
• How did the FBI contribute to HUAC's activities?

  The FBI passed intelligence to HUAC, which then interrogated suspected communists
• What was the concern regarding communists in the film industry?

  That they would use it to spread propaganda
• What happened in October 1947 involving HUAC and Hollywood figures?

  HUAC called 41 producers, directors, and screenwriters to question them about communism
• How many people were named as communist sympathizers during the HUAC hearings in Hollywood?

  19 people
• What was the response of the Hollywood Ten to HUAC's questioning?

  They refused to answer and pleaded the First Amendment
• What was the consequence for the Hollywood Ten after their refusal to cooperate?

  They were jailed for 12 months for contempt and blacklisted
• How did the actions of HUAC impact public perception of communism?

  It gave huge publicity to HUAC and increased anti-Communist hysteria
• Who was Alger Hiss and what was his role in the state department?

  He was a member of the state department and an advisor to President Roosevelt
• What accusation was made against Alger Hiss during a HUAC hearing in 1948?

  He was named as a member of a communist group
• What was the outcome of Alger Hiss's trial in 1949?

  He was found guilty of lying to the court and sentenced to 5 years in prison
• What was the public perception of Hiss after his conviction?

  Many believed he must be a spy despite not being convicted of spying
• What event led to the arrest of Klaus Fuchs in February 1950?

  He was arrested for passing atomic bomb information to the Soviets
• Who did Klaus Fuchs name as spies after his arrest?

  He named David Greenglass, who implicated Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
• What was the outcome of the Rosenberg trial in March 1951?

  They were found guilty of espionage and sentenced to death
• When were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg executed?

  In June 1953
• Who was Joseph McCarthy?

  A Republican senator for Wisconsin in 1946
• What claim did McCarthy make in February 1950 that gained him headlines?

  He claimed to have a list of 208 members of the communist party
• Why were McCarthy's claims taken seriously by the public?

  They tapped into the greatest fear of Americans regarding communism
• What was the impact of McCarthy's claims on the 1952 election?

  The Republicans won the election and many Democrats lost their seats
• What position was McCarthy appointed to after the 1952 election?

  Chairman of the government committee on operations of the Senate
• What was a consequence of the Red Scare regarding suspected communists?

  Anyone suspected of subversion could be put in detention camps
• How did McCarthyism affect people's careers and lives?

  Thousands lost their jobs and careers were damaged by McCarthy's allegations
• What behavior did Americans exhibit due to paranoia during McCarthyism?

  Many gave information to the FBI on suspected communists
• How were people perceived if they had different opinions during McCarthyism?

  They were seen as 'red'
• What was the effect of McCarthyism on political discussions?

  People stopped talking about politics for fear of being accused of communism
• How did McCarthyism affect politicians' voting behavior?

  Politicians rarely voted for left-wing progressive policies
• What was the significance of the Brown vs. Board ruling in 1964?

  It addressed the inequality in education for White and African American pupils
• What were the conditions like for African American pupils compared to White pupils before the Brown vs. Board ruling?

  African American pupils had fewer resources, less educated teachers, and unsafe environments
• What challenges did Black families face during the integration process?

  They faced anger from white parents and difficulties in finding integrated schools
• What was the overall impact of the Brown vs. Board ruling on civil rights?

  It brought increased awareness and support for African American civil rights
• What was a negative consequence of the Brown vs. Board ruling?

  Some parts of the country saw a backlash against African Americans
• How did the government respond to the civil rights movement after the Brown vs. Board ruling?

  The government became willing to help African Americans
• What was the public perception of the civil rights movement after the Brown vs. Board ruling?

  It increased publicity and awareness of civil rights issues
• What was the significance of the term 'red' during the McCarthy era?

  It referred to individuals suspected of being communists
• What was the impact of McCarthyism on trade unions?

  Trade unions were seen as communist organizations
• How did McCarthyism affect political discourse in America?

  It created an atmosphere of fear that stifled political discussion
• What was the effect of being called by McCarthy on people's careers?

  It ended people's careers as they were assumed guilty.