the second red scare. began during the cold war (late 1940s through the 1950s) this period is...
TRANSCRIPT
The Second Red Scare
The Second Red Scare
Began during the Cold War (late 1940s through the 1950s)
This period is described as McCarthyism It was fear of the spread of Communism in
the United States and its institutions SPYING for the Soviet Union Major player = Sen. Joseph McCarthy
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Republican Senator from Wisconsin Fought in WWII Began a very weak career in politics His war record was being scrutinized and was
being charged with tax offences and bribery In fear of losing next election, he needed
something big!
The Second Red Scare
Government feared communist and communist sympathizers had infiltrated government institutions
Thousands of people were accused Gov’t employees, celebrities, educators,
and union activists were the accused There was little or no evidence against
any of the accused
The Accused
The accused were brought before the Senate for hearings and interrogations.
Their names were dragged through the mud. Sen. McCarthy did not have any evidence of the
accusations. Many careers and lives were ruined because of
these accusations. People did not want to be involved with a
“communist”.
The Accused
Langston Hughes W.E.B. DuBois Charlie Chaplan Arthur Miller Leonard Bernstein Orson Welles Lee Grant
The Accused
The Fall of McCarthyism
Lack of evidence Televised hearings Presidential scrutiny Edward R. Murrow McCarthy’s self-centeredness Alcoholism
The Fall Of McCarthyism
On December 3, 1953, the Senate voted to censure McCarthy.
Images of McCarthyism