For more information:
Recent Movies:
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Contemporary Movies List:
http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/A
llPowers/film.html
Contemporary Music List:
http://www.shmoop.com/mccarthyismred-scare/music.html
Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz1b2
ybKbeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXO88
iyOyK8
Tasks
1. After reading the two sources dealing with the McCarran Act,
make a T-Chart identifying the pro and con arguments of this
legislation.
2. After reading the two sources dealing with the Loyalty Act,
make a T-Chart identifying the pro and con arguments of this
executive order.
3. When having completed these two charts, write an essay about
the state of the United States regarding concerns about
communism. Include in this essay how individual rights in the
United States were threatened.
Credits
Cover photo: http://www.atomicplatters.com/platters.php?id=C0_7_1
McCarthy photo: en.wikipedia.org
Good Night and Good Luck photo: imdb.com
For comments or suggestions, please email Dr. Brad Burenhiede,
bburen@ksu.edu.
The Red Scare
The 1940’s & 50’s “Red Scare” in US History
EReader #1: KSU Primary Source Series
Dr. Brad Burenheide, KSU COE
About the period…
The Red Scare
At the end of World War II, communism was seen as a great
threat to the security of the world, especially nervous after
the rise of the defeated fascist countries who were the
aggressors of the war. All through America, there was a
sense of unease of communism. As there was massive
paranoia, government made steps to eliminate communism
and resulted in action occurring to limit freedoms and attack
anyone related to communism.
Readings
McCarthy’s Speech June 2, 1950
In this speech given in support the McCarran Internal Security Act, we get
a view of McCarthy’s point of view of the threat to America.
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=858
Truman’s Veto of the McCarran Act
Sept. 22, 1950
The McCarran Act was a piece of legislation that very controversial and
Truman vetoed the bill. Congress overrode the veto. Some components
of the act was found unconstitutional in 1993!
Tailgunner Joe
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=859
Into this era of paranoia came Senator Joe McCarthy.
McCarthy’s charisma and fervent tenor led to him becoming
the loudest voice against communism and he prompted
congressional hearings against alleged communists. The
was interesting as people who may have dabbled with the
idea of communism were tried in front of HUAC. Victims
included college professors and even Hollywood actors.
McCarthy overstepped when he held hearings against Army
officials. Public sentiment turned against the movement.
McCarthy fades away and dies of alcoholism at the end of it.
Rep. Chester Holifield’s Speech on the
Loyalty Act. June 27, 1947
The Readings
Your readings for this module include two sides of the McCarran
Act, an act designed to help prevent communism from infiltrating
government and other institutions, but controversial as it gave
government immense power. The other two deal with the start of
the “Red Scare” as they deal with the Loyalty Act, which was
designed to peg communists as disloyal, opening a route to
prosecute those opposed to American Democracy.
Representative Holifield spoke out about this Act as a danger to
free speech and expression.
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=854
Truman’s Statement on the Loyalty Act
November 14, 1947
Truman had issued Executive Order 9835 that required those employed
by government to commit an oath of loyalty to the United States.
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=853
Who was Senator Joseph McCarthy?
Born in Wisconsin in 1908, McCarthy earned a law
degree and was a circuit judge when he served in
WWII. Upon his return, he won a Senate seat in
1947. In the 1950’s amongst the height of the “Red
Scare”, McCarthy led the crusade, claiming
communists infiltrated the President’s staff, armed
forces and government in general. In 1954, he
pushed for hearings about communism in the Army,
the hearings resulted in “McCarthyism” lost favor
with the public. He died in 1957.