How did fear of Communism affect U.S. Domestic Policy?
Name ________________________________________
Overview:
“In the early years of the Cold War, many Americans believed there was good reason to be
concerned about the security of the United States” (textbook p. 616). There were
communist takeovers in Eastern Europe, China, and North Korea. At the end of World War
II, over 100,000 Americans claimed to be communists. At a time of “containment” how
would you have stopped the spread of communism within our own borders?
Consider the following situation:
Imagine you’ve been delivered one of those dreaded yellow passes in the middle of class
calling you to the principal’s office. There is no reason listed on the pass and you start to
wonder what you have done that has gotten you into trouble. On one hand you may be
thinking, “Nah, there is no way he would ever know about that…” On the other hand, you start
planning your defense: “I’ll say it wasn’t me. You’ve got the wrong person.” Denial doesn’t
sound too bad.
When you show up to see the principal, you are informed that the bathroom upstairs has been
vandalized. (S)he turns to you and says, “I know it was you, and unless you can prove you
didn’t do it, I am going to suspend you for three days.”
You think to yourself, “I know I didn’t do it, but I know who did.” There isn’t anyway for you to
convince the principal you didn’t vandalize the bathroom without ratting out the person who
did, your best friend. You feel helpless and aren’t sure what to do.
What do you do? What do you say to the principal? What consequences beside suspension
would there be for remaining silent? What consequences would there be for tattling on
your friend?
Discuss with the people at your tables what you would do in this situation. Summarize
what you plan to do.
Describe how you situation was similar and different than the following:
Gordon Kahn and his son Tony:
Paul Robeson:
The Hollywood Ten:
How did fear of Communism affect U.S. Domestic Policy?
Vandalism has becoming a growing concern for the school. They are worried that others
might find vandalism to be “cool” so the School Board has decided to investigate those people
suspected of having vandalistic tendencies. A list of possible “suspects” begins circulating
through the teacher’s lounge. Some teachers even begin to discriminate in class against those
“thought” to be vandals.
How are the teachers and School Board acting like HUAC?
Some of your other friends were also called into the Principal’s office and begin naming
names. Yours is one that is being whispered not only in the office, but also in the hallways at
school. Rumors are running rampant. Some are claiming you are a spy that was sent by your
rivals at the neighboring school. There is talk of expelling the guilty students.
Compare and Contrast your situation to that of:
Alger Hiss:
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg:
Suppose there had been a recent string of vandalism in bathrooms at the school that was
reported on in the newspaper. In order to keep his job, the principal had to catch the person(s)
guilty of such behavior. (S)he begins slandering your name in the newspapers, ruining your
reputation with unproven accusations, so that you no longer feel safe returning to school and
have been blacklisted so that no neighboring school would want to take you. You accuse the
principal of McCarthyism.
What do you mean by “blacklisted”?
What do you mean by “McCarthyism”?
Finally, public pressure is brought upon the Principal, and (s)he is forced to resign. You have
been cleared of all wrongdoing, but the damage has been done.
Is it possible to clear your name, and have people forget all the bad things that were said
about you?