

Senator from Wisconsin
Claimed the state department
was full of communists
 The number of “communists” was
always changing
 Could never provide a solid list



Started a new era in American
society
Power followed his accusations
Televised hearings against he
US Army



The fear of communism spreading through
America.
Public becomes concerned
McCarran Act
 FBI allowed to screen government employees
 3,000 resigned or dismissed

Smith Act
 Unlawful to teach or advocate the violent overthrow
of the US Government

Whittaker Chambers accuses Alger
Hiss of espionage
 Eventually found guilty and spent 4
years in prison

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
 Accused of passing secrets to the
soviet union about atomic science
 Found guilty and sentenced to death
 Sparked controversy



House Un-American Activities Committee
Investigated possible activities by fascists, Nazis
or communists
Questioned:
 Government, armed forces, unions, education,
science, newspapers

The more known trials accused members of the
movie industry and Hollywood
A group of left-wing writers, directors and
producers
 Claiming to use their 5th amendment right
 Cited for contempt of congress – sent to prison
 Blacklist appears
 Watkins v. United States (1957)
 Impact on movie industry
 Freedom of speech – civil liberties are affected


Propaganda and culture reflected the fear of communism









Overgeneralizations
Emotion over reason
Scare Tactics
Bandwagon Appeal
Name Calling
Exaggeration
Loaded Words
Fallacies
Slogans/Catchphrase