Premium Essay

Mccarthyism

In:

Submitted By meg7698
Words 581
Pages 3
McCarthyism McCarthyism originated in the late 1940’s during the Second Red Scare period when
Senator Joseph McCarthy began making rash accusations of treason and such crimes in fear of
Communist influence on American culture. A spectrum of actions resulted from this irrational, growing fear of Communism. The Red Scare began after World War II and carried out tensions from the Cold War between the two world superpowers. The House Un-American Activities Committee was created in 1938 to monitor Communist actions. This committee sought to expose any suspected Communist supporters living in the United States. Many suspected communists lost their jobs, homes, families and were even imprisoned. Government officials, Hollywood stars, and educators were targeted mostly by these exaggerated accusations. Many well-known and appreciated people were subjected to testify their beliefs, involvement with and general knowledge of the Communist Party in the United States. The Hollywood “blacklist” included those who could not be employed due to their supposed affiliations with the Communist party. The “Hollywood Ten” were a group of ten hollywood stars subpoenaed by the HUAC that took a stand and tried to defend their first amendment rights to freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble. The Committee failed to see the value in their argument and sentenced them all to six to twelve months of imprisonment. All those who were accused after the Hollywood Ten case plead the fifth and became known as “Fifth Amendment Communist’s. Many thought that health services, vaccinations and mental health services were influenced by Communists to brainwash Americans. Joseph McCarthy convinced the majority of Americans to side with his paranoia. American officials seemed to believe that all Communists sought to overthrow the American government. Thousands of people who were subpoenaed by

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mccarthyism

...The Connection by Kathleen Orozco P. Sepesi English 3.1 December 5, 2011 Outline I. Introduction II. America in the 1600’s A. Puritanism B. Salem Witch Trials III. America in the 1950’s A. Communism B. Joseph McCarthy IV. McCarthyism A. McCarthy Trials (HUAC) B. Blacklisting C. Elia Kazan D. Arthur Miller V. The Crucible A. The Summary B. The theme VI. The Allegory A. Danforth and the HUAC B. Danforth and Joseph McCarthy C. Elia Kazan and Abigail Williams VII. The conclusion The Connection The Crucible written by Arthur Miller has a symbolic meaning. It is an allegory, “a story in which people, things, and events have a symbolic meaning, often instructive.” (Agnes 17). The setting, the Salem witch trials of the 1600’s is similar to the McCarthy trials of the 1950’s. The people, the events, the details relate to one another. Miller purposely wrote his story to instruct the fact that the mentality of the people in the 1950’s was no different than the mentality of people in the 1600’s. In the 1600’s people followed a strict religion known as puritanism. The Puritans believed they were sent by God to purify the world of sin and evil. Because of this they believed they were superior to others. Consequently, when they did sin, they tended to feel guilty and blame others for their faults. This blame and guilt led to one of the most fearful times in America. The Salem witch trials happened during the 1600’s and at a time where everyone...

Words: 1816 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Anticomunism and Mccarthyism

...Week 1 notes Anticommunism and McCarthyism Paper Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper written between 1947 and 1954 to see how these events were covered by the media. (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor) About anticommunism- Anti-communism is a set of beliefs, social values, or political opinions that communism or a one party system form of government that holds all power, including the economy is not acceptable. -great anti-communist frenzy in the late 1940s and early 1950s that had corrosive effects on American life. Known to many as “McCarthyism,” after the Wisconsin senator who became the most famous and notorious voice of anti-communism for a time, the post–World War II Red Scare was a widespread phenomenon that affected almost every area of American life. The early years of the Cold War coincided with a time of economic anxiety as the nation attempted to adjust to conversion from war to peace; but by the early 1950s, the American economy entered a period of high economic growth and stability. McCarthyism during this period- Whereas, McCarthyism unfairly targeted and investigated men and women for being suspected of being a communist often destroying reputations and causing employers to place suspects names on the so called "blacklist" for fear of risking his or her own reputation (especially Hollywood) destroyed by the powerful Senator Joseph McCarthy. Throughout the late 1950's and even until the end...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Anticommunism and Mccarthyism

...Anticommunism and McCarthyism Travis Hall His/145 4/27/2011 Richard Pinder At the end of World War II, there was a continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars and economic competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union, commonly known as The Cold War. These two superpowers conflicted and were competitive about many things, but none greater than the difference in government. The Soviet Union, being a communist country was highly unfavorable to the majority of the world. The United States attempted to use containment as a primary strategy to keep communism away from its shores. This strong resilience prompted the phrase, anti-communism, which simply means against communism. Even though America maintained itself as a democracy, there was a sweeping fear that communism may infiltrate the American government. Senator Joseph Raymond McCarthy became the most visible public face during this period. Senator McCarthy helped to perpetuate this fear, by making claims that there were an extremely large number of Communist and Soviet spies inside the United States federal government. This brought about the coining of the phrase McCarthyism. McCarthyism has become a common phrase for making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. McCarthy’s method used the fears of Americans to perpetuate...

Words: 704 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Anticommunism and Mccarthyism Paper

...Assignments Individual Assignment: Anticommunism and McCarthyism Paper Themes of anticommunism preoccupied the American media from 1947 to 1954. Major topics included the coup in Czechoslovakia, the Korean War, the House Un-American Activities Committee, Alger Hiss, the Rosenbergs, and Joseph McCarthy. • Resources: ProQuest Historical Newspapers • Identify at least three different articles from the ProQuest Historical Newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor) written between 1947 and 1954 to see how these events were covered by the media. • Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper about anticommunism and McCarthyism during this period, including examples or quotes from each of the three articles you located (see rubric below). • Format your paper according to APA standards. Anti-communism and McCarthyism paper Grading Criteria Content 5 Points All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way within the guidelines of 700-1050 words. The paper incorporates at least three different appropriate articles from ProQuest Historical Newspapers written between 1947 and 1954, covering topics in anti-communism or McCarthyism. The paper provides insight and supports that insight on the following topics: • The differences between anti-communism and McCarthyism • The perspective from which the media covered anti-communism and McCarthyism • American foreign policy decisions impacted by anti-communism ...

Words: 322 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

How Did Mccarthyism Lead To The Rise Of Mccarthyism

...The rise of McCarthyism became known to man around the early 1950s. It blamed innocent people for the problems of America at the time. Some questioned whether it affected the United States of America, and many still wonder if it took a positive or negative part. The Rise of McCarthyism had a major role on the lifestyle of Americans, it impacted America politically, economically, and socially . McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations to overthrow or betray someone without evidence. It is also the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict disagreement or political criticism. McCarthyism made people discriminate and become afraid of everyone for fear that they might...

Words: 1147 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Joseph Mccarthyism In The Crucible

..."Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?" This was a common question heard during the 1950s in the age of what is known as McCarthyism, the name given to the time in American history during which Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy searched in an effort to expose supposed communist takeover in various areas of the U.S. government. Arthur Miller and Edward Murrow, two very well known Americans at the time, were very outspoken about how McCarthyism was affecting the nation. Edward Murrow, a journalist, used his straight forward speech to expose Joseph McCarthy and his deceptive ways. In the same way, Arthur Miller, a playwright, used his play The Crucible to attempt to expose McCarthy, but was missing the focus he needed to get his point...

Words: 1298 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Crucible And Mccarthyism Analysis

...Comparison Of The Crucible and McCarthyism The quality of being wise is not given by age, but by experience. Knowledge and upstanding judgment must be earned, even by men in power. Senator Joseph McCarthy tampered with the minds of thousands by using their lack of sagacity against them. During his term, McCarthy named playwright Arthur Miller, along with over 200 others a communist. In the early 1950s, many looked to McCarthy as protection against the Cold War, but for Miller, it was the spark that lit the match. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and the Red Scare are direct correlates because The Crucible is based on the selfish intentions Senator McCarthy possesses, “witches” were shunned just as the individuals blacklisted for communist...

Words: 1101 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Crucible Vs Mccarthyism Essay

...supposed magic or a form of government, there will be turmoil “Jess Blumberg”. Fear is a dominant force in this world. Throughout history it has killed civilians, hurt communities, and obliterated empires. In both The Salem Witch trials and the Red Scare it caused it caused people to turn against their neighbor and become self-destructive. The reason that Arthur Miller Wrote the crucible is because he wanted society to recognize the mistakes that it continues to make, and learn from them. It was a quintessential allegory in the making. Anototatted work cited “Red Scare”. History.com 23 Oct. 2017. Blumberg, Jessie. “A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials”. 23. Oct. 2007. 23. Oct. 2017 Darwin, Kim. “McCarthyism” 23 Oct. 2017 “McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare”. Americanhistory 23 Oct. 2017. “Salem Witch Trials”. History.com 23 Oct. 2017. ...

Words: 502 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Mccarthyism And The Crucible

...Arthur Miller wrote”The Crucible” so he could shed light on the fact Joseph McCarthy was doing the same thing as the judges in salem. In both cases people were accused and they were guilty until proven innocent. Also the courts had no proof that anybody was guilty. They say history repeats itself and looking back it shows exactly that. McCarthyism and “The Crucible” are very much alike in the fact they both made big deals out of nothing just to get head in their lives with no regard no how it would make others feel. Also the trials were not fair because in both situations it was either admit your guilt or be punished. It ruined the lives of people who were accused. “How may i live without my name? I have given you my soul leave me my name”...

Words: 329 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Compare And Contrast Mccarthyism And The Red Scare

...After World War II had ended, a new threat emerged against the U.S. Communism emerged from the Soviets and challenged the US in the Cold War. Along with Communism came fear that the U.S. would fall to the idea. McCarthyism and HUAC further worsened this fear. McCarthyism created the Red scare by pushing for persecution, radical ideas, and attention that McCarthy received from the press. McCarthy caused the Red Scare shortly after World War II with his political influences. McCarthy was a member of congress therefore he had a voice in the government and people listened to him. “When a great democracy is destroyed, it will not be because of enemies from without, but rather because of enemies from within.” McCarthy...

Words: 374 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Salem Witch Trials And Mccarthyism

...In the 1950s, America was involved in a Cold War with the Soviet Union, and the U.S. government was deeply concerned with national security. Some federal agents, had been convicted as spies. As a result, Americans became suspicious of plots, treason, and Communism at home. It was in this atmosphere that President Truman allowed Joseph McCarthy, a junior senator from Wisconsin, to lead the interrogation of alleged spies. But as we look, there’s a lot of similarities between the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthyism such as Innocent people were accused of things they didn’t commit, They both had mass fears that happened to them such as worshipping the devil and witches and the other was communism accused all immigrants being communist which made U.S not trust anyone, and lastly Both villains down fell and eventually killed themselves....

Words: 680 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

What Effect Did Mccarthyism Have on the Us/

...How far do you agree with the view that McCarthyism had little impact on US society in the years 1950-54? It is argued that McCarthyism had a vital impact on US society in the years 1950-54. This can be seen through the knock on effects it had on the people in America, as the fear of communism was rising as McCarthyism triggered a panic all across America during this period. The USA was already feeling very vulnerable after War as they feared communism would spread just the way It did in China, thus McCarthyism was significant as many Americans were scared that their society would come under the influence of communism. However, many historians argue that the impact John McCarthy was only short term as soon; the Red Scare was falling apart as everyone was being accused of being a communist. McCarthy influenced many Americans through radio and press and caused many Americans to panic from Communism. He raised the awareness of the impact that communism could have on American society and how it could change the American way of life, and during this period many Americans did not want any significant change as the economy was booming and prosperity was flourishing all over America, which was a major change. Therefore, people had a reason to fear Communism as Americans were living a better and more affluent life and they did not want their privileges to be taken away from them. McCarthy took advantage of this and manipulated the press, and released as many accusations as possible...

Words: 998 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Mccarthyism and the Red Scares Impact on the Media in the 50s/60s

...McCarthyism and The Second Red Scares impact on Media in the 1950-60s decades (Research and Analysis Paper) In 1950, fewer than 50,000 Americans out of a total US population of 150 million were members of the Communist Party(Gilder Lehrman). However following WWII the the time period of the 1950-1970 was marked as a period of mass fear of Communism. American fears of internal communist infiltration reached Its highest point since the First Red Scare of the 1920-30s. Government organizations investigated millions of americans, “asking what books and magazines they read, what unions and civic organizations they belonged to, and whether they went to church” (Gilder Lehrman). This time period was also marked by the major shift and blacklisting of celebrities primarily in show business. One of the people who took full advantage of the mass hysteria was Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin. McCarthy began his crusade by giving a speech at the Women’s Republican Club of Wheeling, in West Virginia, where he stated that he had a list of over 220 confirmed communists living in the US. The numbers of this statement dropped over the years as people began to watch him more closely. However this didn’t stop him from rising to more power, after the Republicans regained a majority in the senate, McCarthy took control of a subcommittee, and performed investigations on government agencies. Other Cold War “activists” consisted of Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, union leader Walter Reuther...

Words: 2712 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Mccarthyism

...CheckPoint: McCarthyism I believe McCarthyism had affected lives of people in the U.S. that his negative property were unfavorable. He was too aggressive, dishonest, and inappropriate. With all the fear and panic going on, this led to finger pointing, accusations, and a sense of prevalent paranoia. It created an overall fear of socialists, anarchists, and other dissidents. In McCarthyism’s mind it was all or nothing; meaning that if the citizen was not patriotic, they would be considered a suspect. With all the conflict McCarthyism creating conflict between the fellow American citizens, he also stirred up some problems in the political, economic, and social-political areas. This kind of conflict did not help the people in any way but just made it worse. With all these problems in the political field it also increased the fear and discrimination toward English speakers. I believe that this harmed the democratic goals and ideas of the United States.  I feel that it made America lose face and appear to be too aggressive in terms of foreign and domestic policy. Although it was supposed to keep a tight check on communistic activity, its aim seemed to be contradictory of America's ideologies of openness, multiculturalism, and peace position. Instead, it seemed to embody a policy that was too forceful. I also believe that it was dangerous because it was a bit hasty in generalizing and labeling that all Communists posed a definite threat to America and world peace. It caused American...

Words: 282 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Crucible Allegory Essay

...injustices during the Red Scare in America. As history continues to unfold, more links can be drawn between the message of “The Crucible” and today’s discrimination. The allegorical qualities of Arthur Miller’s, “The Crucible,” relate strongly to McCarthyism, but still have relevant connections to...

Words: 1432 - Pages: 6