Second Red Scare• Late 1940s-early 1950s• Concern that communism would spread to the U.S., fear of spies• Feeling of paranoia; reflected in popular culture
White Board Moment
Predict how the government will respond to the paranoia and fear surrounding the Red Scare.
HUAC• House Un-American Activities Committee • investigated suspected Communists in movie industry• no proof, but many blacklisted (Hollywood 10 jailed)
White Board Moment
If you were accused of being a Communist, would you have testified before HUAC or refused to?
BRIEFLY explain why.
McCarthyism• Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin • Unfairly accused people of being communists• Had little or no proof, contributed to mass hysteria• Ended in 1954 after the Army-McCarthy hearings
White Board MOMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could something like McCarthyism happen again?
What might people be accused of today?
PATRIOT ACT• passed in response to 9/11 • expands gov’t’s ability to perform searches
Whiteboard Moment
Does the government have the right to investigate its citizens? Under what circumstances?