Consensus over the Red Scare - HUAC and the Hiss Case

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Each of the above headings provide very important context into how consensus flourished in America in the 1950's. Below will be a number of key points on each of them, as well as some questions that will aid you in your revision.

The Red Scare and Consensus Surrounding It

The Red Scare refers to the period of intense fear of communism and its potential spread within the United States during the late 1940s and 1950s.
Fear of communism was widespread, fuelled by events like the Soviet Union's nuclear bomb development and the rise of communist China.
McCarthyism, named after Senator Joseph McCarthy, involved accusations of subversion and treason without proper evidence.
Many people were blacklisted or lost their jobs due to suspicions of communist ties.
The Red Scare was supported by a broad consensus in American society, with many believing aggressive measures were necessary to protect the country from communist influence.

The HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

HUAC was created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of private citizens, public employees, and organisations suspected of having communist ties.
The committee focused on rooting out communists in government, the entertainment industry, and other sectors of American life.
HUAC held public hearings where individuals were subpoenaed and questioned about their political beliefs and associations.
The Hollywood Ten were a group of screenwriters and directors who refused to testify before HUAC, citing the First Amendment, leading to their blacklisting and jail sentences.
HUAC's actions contributed to the atmosphere of fear and suspicion during the Red Scare, leading to widespread blacklisting and persecution of alleged communists.

The Hiss Case

Alger Hiss was a high-ranking State Department official accused of being a Soviet spy.
Whittaker Chambers, a former communist spy, testified before HUAC, claiming that Hiss had provided him with classified documents to pass to the Soviet Union.
The Pumpkin Papers were microfilm documents hidden in a pumpkin on Chambers' farm, allegedly proving Hiss's espionage activities.
Hiss was tried twice; the first trial ended in a hung jury, but he was convicted of perjury in the second trial in 1950 for lying about passing government documents to Chambers.
The Hiss case heightened the fear of communist infiltration and validated concerns about Soviet espionage in the U.S. government, boosting the careers of anti-communist politicians like Richard Nixon.

Added Context - The Hollywood Blacklist

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The Hollywood blacklist was a list of actors, writers, directors, and other entertainment professionals who were banned from working in the film industry because they were suspected of having communist ties. This happened during the late 1940s and 1950s, a time known as the Red Scare, when Americans were very afraid of communism. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated Hollywood for communist influences. Many people were called to testify and asked to name others who might be communists. Those who refused to cooperate or were accused of being communists were blacklisted, meaning they couldn't find work in the industry. This ruined many careers and lives, as the fear of communism led to widespread paranoia and unfair treatment. The Hollywood Ten were a famous group of screenwriters and directors who refused to testify and were subsequently jailed and blacklisted. The blacklist lasted until the 1960s when the fear of communism began to fade.

Key Terms

Red Scare: Period of intense fear of communism in the U.S., leading to widespread suspicion and persecution of alleged communists.
McCarthyism: The practice of making accusations of subversion and treason without proper evidence, particularly during the Red Scare.
HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee): A committee formed to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities.
Hollywood Ten: A group of screenwriters and directors who were blacklisted for refusing to testify before HUAC.
Alger Hiss: A State Department official accused and convicted of perjury related to espionage charges.
Whittaker Chambers: A former communist spy who accused Alger Hiss of espionage.
Pumpkin Papers: Microfilm documents hidden by Whittaker Chambers, allegedly proving Hiss's espionage activities.

Test Yourself Questions

1. What was the Red Scare, and why did it occur?

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S., driven by events like the Soviet Union's nuclear bomb development and the rise of communist China.

2. What role did HUAC play during the Red Scare?

HUAC investigated alleged disloyalty and subversive activities, focusing on rooting out communists in government, the entertainment industry, and other sectors.

3. Who were the Hollywood Ten, and what happened to them?

A group of screenwriters and directors who refused to testify before HUAC, leading to their blacklisting and jail sentences.

4. What was the significance of the Hiss case?

It heightened the fear of communist infiltration, validated concerns about Soviet espionage, and boosted the careers of anti-communist politicians.

5. What were the Pumpkin Papers?

Microfilm documents hidden by Whittaker Chambers, allegedly proving Alger Hiss's espionage activities.

Consensus over the Red Scare - HUAC and the Hiss Case Simplified Revision Notes for Leaving Cert History