McCarthyism and the Red Scare 2/1

According to this pamphlet, what is Communism? Is the definition accurate?

According to this pamphlet, Communism is a small group that tries to rule the world. This definition is not right. Communism is a form of government where the government owns all the property and each person is paid by the government.

Imagine you are a citizen of America in 1950. How could Senator McCarthy's speech contribute to an atmosphere of paranoia amongst you and your fellow citizens?

As an American of the 1950s, I am afraid of the Soviet Union bombing us. Because of McCarthy's speech, I'm afraid that my neighbors might be communist and might be helping the Soviet Union's plans to bomb us.

How could this documentary have contributed to the atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion among American citizens in the 1950's?

Even though McCarthy was lying, this video continues that lie by reinforcing the idea that there are communist and this is how to identify them.

Doc 4 - This pamphlet was published by the US Congress. Do you think Americans in 1949 felt this was a trustworthy source?

I think Americans in 1949 felt this was a trustworthy source because they believe congress and the Government. People were very afraid of communism and communist, so they believed it.

What does it mean to be "American"? What do you think it meant to be "American" in the 1940's and 1950's?

I think being "American" means to support democracy and capitalism. In the 1940's and 1950's it meant not being involved in communism.

What does it mean to be "Un-American"? What do you think it meant to be "Un-American" in the 1940's and 1950's?

I think being "Un-American" means to be unpatriotic. In the 1940's and 1950's it meant to support communism.

What does "When a democracy is destroyed, it will not be from enemies from without, but rather because of enemies from within" mean?

I think it means that the enemies are coming from America.

What effect do you think the first paragraph of this document had on listeners in February of 1950?

I think the effect on the first paragraph of this document had on listeners in February of 1950 was that they were scared. In just about six years, the number of communist grew against our favor by 8 to 1.

Doc 2 - What do you think the main point of this 1950's documentary was?

I think the main point of this 1950's documentary was how to identify communist among us.

Does it sound like this information was obtained legally or illegally?

It sounds like this information was obtained illegally because the FBI broke into the office of the Communist Party and got the names of the witnesses.

What does that tell you about life in the 1950's in America?

Life in the 1950's was filled with suspicion and fear.

Why were many Americans fearful and suspicious of communists during the 1940's and 1950's?

Many Americans were fearful and suspicious of communists during the 1940's and 1950's because they were afraid of a surprise nuclear attack from the Soviet Union because they were recently attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor.

Does Senator McCarthy cite or mention any evidence he has that proves the 205 government employees on his list are actually communists? What does that tell you?

No, Senator McCarthy does not cite or mention any evidence he has that proves the 205 government employees on his list are actually communists. He just has a list of names, but no proof. This tells me that he is 100% lying.

Keeping in mind this pamphlet was published by HUAC, do you think it is a reliable source on Communism?

No, this is not a reliable source on Communism. The HUAC investigated communist activity in the United States. McCarthy was a government official and he wasn't reliable. The HUAC was a government agency. How did we know that the HUAC was reliable?

How did HUAC know that some of their witnesses had ties to the Communist Party?

The FBI investigated and knew 19 witnesses had ties to the Communist Party. The FBI gave this information to the HUAC. The FBI broke into the office of the Communist Party and got the names of the witnesses.

What was HUAC trying to prove about Hollywood?

The HUAC is trying to prove that Hollywood used by communist to make movies to spread propaganda. Hollywood was putting messages into their movies about communism.

What is the tone of Senator McCarthy's speech? Cite textual evidence to support your claims.

The tone of Senator McCarthy's speech is suspenseful and scary. He is trying to cause fear and paranoia. McCarthy says that communism has increased so greatly that in just about six years, the number of communist grew against our favor by 8 to 1. He says that he knows many wealthy people and people in Government who are part of the communist party. He even says he has a list of people's names who are active members of the Communist Party.

How would you describe the tone of this pamphlet? What patterns do you see emerging from the first 10 questions and answers? What messages do you think the authors were trying to send to their readers?

The tone of the pamphlet is scary. The pattern of the first 10 questions and answers are incorrect and describe communism incorrectly. It describes communism as bad. The message is that communism is harmful and we are in danger.

Doc 1 - What type of primary source document is this? How might that impact or shape the tone and word choice of the document?

The type of primary source of this document is a speech. This might impact the tone and word choice of the document. McCarthy points out that there is a rise in the number of communist and that they are traitors within the US. The tone is scary and his word choices are vague, but accusing.

Doc 3 - Why does the video say Hollywood was a target? What had the film industry been accused of in the past?

The video says Hollywood was a target because it was used by communist to spread propaganda. The film industry was accused of making movies about bad things that taught people bad things. There was too much sex and violence in movies.

What does that suggest to you about just how threatened some people felt by communism?

This suggests that people were really threatened by communism because they were willing to break the law.

What impacts of the Red Scare and McCarthyism on American society can you see from watching this video?

This video was to teach people who was a communist and who was not. The Red Scare and McCarthyism gave Americans reason to be suspicious.

Do you think the HUAC investigations into Hollywood could have added to the atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion in America in the 1950's?

Yes, I think the HUAC investigations into Hollywood could have added to the atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion in America in the 1950's. It accused many people of helping the communists make movies and being a threat to the public, but not having any facts to prove this.