History - 17 Oct
The Red Scare
- Fear of people in the US government supporting communism and trying to bring down the government from the inside.
- It's also as McCarthyism after it's most famous supporter and namesake, Senator. Joseph McCarthy.
- Lead to a witch hunt of communists.
House Un-American Activities Committee(HUAC)
- Formed in 1945-75.
- Thought if government was infiltrated then so would Hollywood.
- Some refused to work in America.
- Walt Disney arrested.
- Ronald Reagan arrested.
- Hollywood actors went against the HUAC.
- Films boycotted.
- Catherine Hepburn film stoned.
- Communists 'blacklisted' by the Actors' Union led by Ronald Reagan.
- Started making patriotic films, key figures were John Wayne, Walt Disney.
Fears of communism
- School textbooks inspected.
- University reading lists inspected.
- 3 University professors dismissed.
- International Security Act (McCurran Act) passed 1950, communists had to identify themselves and lost their passports and job if a federal employee.
Senator Joe McCarty
Accused the State of Department of being communists because
- Loss of China.
- Not enough support to Jiang Jeishi
- Korean War
He created an atmosphere of fear.
1953 McCarthy was at the height of his powers.
Investigated the US army for Communism and challenged its patriotism.
McCarthy was shown to be a bully.
Died 1957.
Importance of Red Scare
The US public had an intense fear of communism.
Led to support for containment and the build up of US forces.
Many innocent people had their lives ruined.