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| One of the tools used was the ] which required Communists and Communist organizations to register with the federal government. Another was the ] a federal criminal statute outlawing "advocacy of violent overthrow of the government." | One of the tools used was the ] which required Communists and Communist organizations to register with the federal government. Another was the ] a federal criminal statute outlawing "advocacy of violent overthrow of the government." | ||
| Under the Smith Act the leadership of the ] ] were prosecuted |
Under the Smith Act, the leadership of the ] ] were prosecuted, as was the leadership of the ]. | ||
| The hearings conducted by ] represented the worst of the red scare and gave the red scare the name which is in common usage, but the red scare predated MacCarthy and continued after his discreditation. | The hearings conducted by ] represented the worst of the red scare and gave the red scare the name which is in common usage, but the red scare predated MacCarthy and continued after his discreditation. | ||
Revision as of 15:33, 12 September 2002
McCarthyism describes that period of intense anti-communism, also known as a red scare, which occured in the United States from 1948 to about 1956 (or later), when the government of the United States actively persecuted the Communist Party USA, its leadership, and others suspected of being communists. Loyalty tests were required for government and other employment and lists of subersive organizations were maintained.
The word "McCarthyism" is not a neutral term, but carries connotations of false, even hysterical, accusation. From the viewpoint of the political and cultural elite the suppression of radicalism and radical organizations in the United States was a struggle against a dangerous subversive element controled by a foreign power that posed a real danger to the security of the country, thus justifying extreme, even extra-legal measures. From the radical viewpoint it can be seen as class warfare. From the viewpoint of the thousands of innocents who were caught up in the conflict it was a massive violation of civil rights
One of the tools used was the McCarren Internal Security Act of 1950 which required Communists and Communist organizations to register with the federal government. Another was the Smith Act of 1940 a federal criminal statute outlawing "advocacy of violent overthrow of the government."
Under the Smith Act, the leadership of the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party were prosecuted, as was the leadership of the Communist Party.
The hearings conducted by Senator Joseph McCarthy represented the worst of the red scare and gave the red scare the name which is in common usage, but the red scare predated MacCarthy and continued after his discreditation.
The red scare affected many people in Hollywood, resulting in arrests of various figures in the film industry. Many were also "blacklisted", meaning that they were unable to work in the film industry (although some screenwriters were able to work under pseudonyms).
Further Reading
- Red Scare: Memories of the American Inquisition, An Oral History, Griffin Fariello, W. W. Norton, New York, 1995, hardcover, 575 pages, ISBN 0-393-03732-0