The Red Scare (1950s)

For each term or name, write a concise sentence or two explaining its significance.


1. HUAC
HUAC was an orginazation that investigated people that were suspected of being Communists. It is most famous for its investigation of the movie industry and the Hollywood 10.

2. Blacklist
Blacklist was a list of people who were considered by the government to have a Communist background.

3. Alger Hiss
A man who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Too many years had passed for prossecuters to prove his guilt for espionage but he was convicted of purgery. Richard Nixon uesd this case to gain popularity.

4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
The Rosenbergs were people who were minor activists in the Communist Party in the U.S and were sentenced to death for leaking information to the Soviets on the Atomic Bomb.

5. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy was an American Senator who accused many people of being Communists as well as starting many witch hunts against supposed communists. He thought that Communists were taking over the government.

6. McCarthyism
McCarthyism was the accusation of people of being communism with no evidence.

7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's actions were prompted by his desire to retain his seet in the Senate, and saw the nations fear of communism as a way to gain support. He also saw communism as dangeorus to the world and the U.S. Thus, he started accusing people of being communists whithout any evidence, and started McCarthyism. He also insulted and accused many of these people in the Senate floor, so he could not be accused of slander, but still put forth baseless accusations. His actions caused many people to have to take loyalty oaths and undergo investigations. It also caused many people to not want to speak out for fear of this, as well as causing anti-Communism to be the main focus of foreighn policy.