The Red Scare & Civil Liberties

McGovern, Kinel & VargasFeaturing Jeffrey Erami

Goals of the Trip:

• Assess the historical threat of communism on American social, military, and political institutions

• Gather resources regarding the effects of our fight against the proliferation of Communism globally

• Uncover sources which address the internal threat of communist subversives

How did your visit enhance your understanding of Civil Liberties?

• The Newsuem exists as a testament to the idea of Civil Liberties and that a people can not truly be free unless they are informed.

• Our visit to the various war memorials and the Smithsonian Museum of American History imparted that liberties are things which need to be fought for.

Evidence of their historical narratives

• While the written narratives proved to be the most commonly utilized format, video and other interactive exhibits played a more prominent role then initially anticipated. – Primary sources presented in a

variety of formats; quotes engraved on walls, videos (both historic and present-day), graphics and visual displays are all utilized to tell the museums or monuments narrative.

Presidential Ad Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68KoJS07s6Y

Museums framing Civil Liberties

• Generally pro-American (with exception to the Vietnam War Memorial)

• Emphasizing the sacrifice of people for the assurance of civil liberties throughout America and abroad

Values and Perspectives

• The museums and memorials offered an Ameri-centric viewpoint lacking perspective and experiential framing.

• It was clear that the objective of these collections and exhibits was to champion the American value system.

Conclusion

• Museums and Memorials which we observed throughout our trip:– Reflected the period of construction– Displays a sense of Presentism

• Lack of context hinders what the general observers can take away from trips to our capital’s museum scene.