Red Scare and McCarthyism

• Reasons for the Red Scare:

  • Cold War
  • FBI
  • HUAC
  • Hollywood Ten
  • Hiss and Rosenberg
• Cold War

  • Between the USA and the Soviet Union.
  • After fighting together in WW2, were having disagreements on how to deal with Europe.
  • Eastern Europe were made communist, Western Europe were made capitalist.
  • The 'Iron curtain' divide.
• FBI

  • US feared communism.
  • Concern of communist spies.
  • 1946 Atomic Energy Act, FBI could investigate those working in the atomic industry regarding their loyalty to the USA.
• HUAC

  • House of Un-American Activities.
  • Set up in 1938.
  • Publicly investigated people suspected of being communists or supporting communist ideas and views.
  • Would put people in prison if they refused to talk.
  • People were encouraged to inform on suspected communists.
• Hollywood Ten

  • Dalton Trumbo and producers, investigated on suspicion of pushing communist propaganda on the American public through their films.
  • They were arrested, fired and blacklisted. Most to never re-enter the industry.
• The Rosenberg's

  • Scientists, suspected of sharing US atomic secrets with the Soviet Union, which enable the Soviet Union to progress significantly in the atomic industry.
  • Executed as traitors in 1953.
• Hiss

  • Worked in the US state department.
  • Worked closely with President Roosevelt.
  • Was suspected of supporting communist views.
  • Was trialled, in 1949, and convicted of lying. Sentenced to five years in prison.
  • Whilst he was not convicted of spying, the situation made US citizens anxious that communists had infiltrated the government.
• McCarthyism


  A period in the 1950s when US senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions
• Joseph McCarthy


  • Made a speech declaring he had a list of about 200 communists people in the state department - later it was proved none were valid
  • Gained publicity, and was given a 'White House Committee' to investigate suspected communists
  • Conducted public interviews/trials, but with no sufficient evidence just aggressive tactics
  • Consistently accusing people of communism
  • Never proved anything or had any evidence, just ruined people's lives and reputations with public accusations
  • People feared him and the power he had
  • Hated due to his aggressive manner and techniques, his attack on the army, his lack of evidence and proof, and his alcoholism which led to his death in 1957
• Overall effect of McCarthyism:

  • 9,500 people in the State Department were dismissed.
  • State department lost many valuable workers.
  • Many people lost their jobs.
  • Trade Union's influence was reduced as strikes were seen as communist.
  • Anti-communist hysteria consumed America and took a while to calm down.