Q: What was McCarthyism?
How and Why did it flourish in the
1950s.
A: When people are scared,
there’s opportunity for
politicians to take advantage
Definition
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McCarthyism is the
name we now associate
with wild, unfounded
charges of disloyalty,
pioneered by Sen.
Joseph McCarthy (RWisconsin).
In the 1950’s, it was
associated with
communism
McCarthy doesn’t exist in a vacuum

Americans have real
fears of things like
ATOMIC BOMBS
Americans have Other REAL
FEARS

Global competition w/ USSR
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Several High Profile Spy Cases
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Soviets get bomb in 1949—same year China falls
How could this happen??
Alger Hiss
The Rosenbergs
Also rises because political forces play on
fears to make political gains.
SPIES SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE

Several High Profile Spy
Cases
–
–
–
Klaus Fuchs
Alger Hiss
The Rosenbergs
HUAC
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House UnAmerican Activities
Committee
Formed in 1930s, didn’t do
much till post WWII Red
Scare.
High Profile investigations—
especially in Hollywood leads
to many being blacklisted—
most without anything more
than very shadowy ties to
disloyalty.
HUAC (con’t)
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WHY DO THEY DO IT?
Its politically
advantageous to be a
communist hunter
Wins votes, promotes
careers
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WHAT IF YOU GET CALLED
TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF
HUAC?
You could take 5th
Amendment (then you’re
guilty by association.
You could refuse to
cooperate.
Best is to apologize for your
foolish youth and name
names.
Truman’s Loyalty Program
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Started b/c of political
pressure
Thousands investigated—
could be found “Guilty by
Suspicion”—no “reasonable
doubt” needed to dismiss.
Not as “sexy” as other
instances—did as much real
damage
So Why does McCarthy get so big?
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Right guy, right time
Understood how Media Works (accusations get
front page, retractions buried inside)
Shameless
Republicans let him operate b/c they gained
politically
People afraid to criticize him
Legacy of McCarthy
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I’d love to say we learned a big lesson , but . . . .
Changes style of politics—the attack dog stuff works,
no matter how much we claim to hate it.
Weakens US Security
–
–
Makes all anti-communists look bad
Many key experts, especially on SE Asia purged from
government—in subsequent years having people who really
understood SE Asia might have been helpful.