Communism at Home

Unit 4

Lesson 10

Objectives

Describe government efforts to investigate the loyalty of US citizens.

Explain the spy cases of Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

Identify Senator Joseph McCarthy and explain his role in the anticommunist crusade.

Warm Up Identify US policy to combat communism abroad and give an example of the policy in action.

Containment – Truman Doctrine (Greece/Turkey), Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift, NATO

Review

Cold War Struggle between US & USSR Political, Economic, Military, Civil Rights

How was war “fought”? Unconventional “Warfare” Propaganda, Diplomacy, Science, Finance,

Espionage, Subversion

Communism in the US

Depression Failed econ system =

growth in communist party

WW2 Econ fix = #’s decline

Cold War Fear Communist

expansion and subversion

Second Red Scare

March 1947

Federal Employee Loyalty Program Loyalty Review Board

Smith Act Clear and Present Danger,

can’t be taught McCarren Act

Registration w/Dept Justice

House Un-American Activities Committee

May 1938 Investigate disloyalty,

labor unrest, pre-WW2

1947 Investigates

Communist influence in Hollywood

Hollywood Ten Hollywood Blacklists

See “The Majestic”

Spy Cases: Alger Hiss

1948-50

Whittaker Chambers accuses Hiss of spying for USSR in 30’s Guilty of perjury (lied about

documents) not espionage... 4 yrs in jail

1990’s Soviet info proves?

Spy Cases: The Rosenberg’s

1950 Ethel and Julius

accused of supplying USSR with A-Bomb secrets Plead 5th…Jewish,

radical witch hunt July 19, 1953- 1st

citizens executed for espionage

Modern Day Espionage

1994 Aldrich Ames

2001 Robert Hanssen

Joseph McCarthy (R Senator Wis)

Re-election tactic: Communists taking over US government!

Feb 1950 “List” Communists in State Dept!

1954 – US Army Ike investigates TV Senate Hearings

expose/discredit “Witchhunt”

Dies alcoholism 57

Impact of McCarthyism

Fear and suspicion End free-speech Loyalty investigations and

oaths Deportations Weakened labor unions Ended careers Public Asst ($) Withheld

“Fire!”

“Stand Fast…They’re Armed!”

“Secret”

“You Read, Eh?”

“Freedom-From-Fear”

“Hunting Communists”

“Evidence”

“In My Hand”

Closure

What role do you think Herbert Block played in discrediting Joseph McCarthy and bringing an end to McCarthyism?