Transcript The Cold War at Home and Abroad

Dot Game Instructions
Pick a small piece of paper from the bag. Some of
the pieces of paper have a red dot on them. (DO
NOT REVEAL WHAT IS ON YOUR PIECE OF
PAPER)
2. Object of the game is to create the largest group
possible without any red dots.
1.
1.
Question each other as they form groups (e.g. “Are you for or
against red dots”). REMEMBER: NO STUDENT IS TO
REVEAL WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A RED DOT ON
THEIR PAPER.
3. The largest group without a member with a red dot
wins. Any person who holds a red dot and has
infiltrated a group wins.
The Cold War at Home and
Abroad
THE SECOND RED SCARE
The Communist Party
and The Loyalty Program
 Communist Party in US declining after WWII
 Republicans used red-baiting as a campaign
technique in 1944 and 1946
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Tried to frighten voters about “commydemocrats” by linking
FDR, CIO labor unions and Communism
Helped the Republicans win seats
 Truman set up Loyalty Program (1947)
 Federal employees being a part of organizations or even
sympathizing was grounds for dismissal.
The Communist Party
and The Loyalty Program cont.
 Employees were fearful
 Loyalty boards asked about religion, racial equality, and a taste
for foreign films
 1210 fired 6000 resigned
Naming Names to Congress
 House Un-American Activities Committee (1945)
 Job was to investigated “un-American” propaganda
 Targeted Hollywood to make sure no un-American messages
were being pushed through the entertainment business
 Many execs and actors confirmed their anti-communist
feelings (Gary Cooper and Ronald Reagan for example)
 8 screen writers and 2 directors refused to speak: The
Hollywood Ten
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When brought to Congress First Amendment Right did not work
and all were found guilty and served jail time.
Many people Blacklisted and banned from entering America
Naming names to Congress cont.
 McCarran Committee
 Targeted diplomats, labor union leaders, professors, and
school teachers.
 Not to force personal confessions , but to identify friends and
associates
 Fifth Amendment Communists
Subversion Trials
 Former Communist Whittaker Chambers named
Alger Hiss a Communist in 1948.

Hiss sued for Slander
Chambers gave Congressman Nixon microfilms that he had
hidden in a pumpkin
 FAITH NOT FACTS

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Justice Department indicted Hiss for perjury
Second jury convicted in January 1950
 Klaus Fuchs confessed to passing atomic secrets to
Soviets

Implicated Julius and Ethel Rosenburg
 Charged with
Conspiring to commit
Espionage
 Sent to electric chair
for not naming other
spies
 Plausible but not airtight. Ethel probably innocent
and was charged as a way of pressuring her husband.
Senator McCarthy on Stage
 Speeches full of multiple lies.
 Plentitude of accusations with lack luster facts and
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proof
People listened to him; fellow senators viewed him as
an outsider
Accused George Marshall, and Eisenhower did
nothing
“Have you no decency?”- Joseph Welch
Died from alcoholism in 1957
Understanding McCarthyism
 Tools of political repression remained. Into late 60s.
 Cities and states required loyalty oaths of employees
 Four Main Factors
 Legit but exaggerated concern about atomic spies
 Undercurrent of anti-Semitism
 South and Western resentment of nations Ivy League elite
 Soviet and Chinese Communist successes blamed on American
traitor rather than Communist strengths.
 Republicans used McCarthy until they got the
presidency in 1952 and then abandoned him
Do now:
 What message is the
politic cartoon trying to
convey?
 Where do you think you
would see propaganda
like this?
T- Chart
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Communism
Civil Liberties not
protected
No individuality
(classless society)
People should work
together for good of
society
Fear of Domino Theory
Gov’t controls industry
and society
Some fear gov’t power
and control

Accept all gov’t decisions
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McCarthyism
Fear of accusations suppresses
free speech
Fear of accusations suppresses
individuality
McCarthy wants people to turn
in suspected communists
More and more people are
accused (not proven of) being
communist
Fear of
McCarthy(senator=gov’t)
means he control much of
society
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Keep to self- easier and less