THE SECOND
RED SCARE
So far in the Cold War, Americans had suffered a number of blows. The Soviet Union
had gained atomic weapons, China fell to the communists, and the lack of a victory in Korea
worried Americans about whether or not it was going to be possible to defeat the Soviet Union.
There was a fear of communism in the government and the media slowly gaining momentum
throughout the country.
Alger Hiss - A former State Department official who was accused of giving government secrets
to Soviet agents. He was proven guilty of the charge, but since a number of years had passed
since the crime was committed, he could not be charged. He was arrested though on charges of
perjury to the congressional committee and spent several years in prison.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - A married couple who were found guilty of supplying secret
information regarding the Atomic Bomb to the Soviet Union. They were executed on June 19th,
1953, in the electric chair. This was the first time in United States history civilians were executed
for espionage.
McCarthyism - Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin became wildly popular from taking
advantage of the fears the Red Scare instilled in American civilians. In a speech in February of
1950, McCarthy claimed to have the names of 205 Communists who worked in the State
Department. This number changed to 81, then finally to 57. McCarthy did not allow anybody to
see the list, but Americans still believed him. He became hugely popular. During the next four
years, McCarthy’s accusations grew. He led Senate meetings where he made exaggerated
charges and intimated witnesses. This scare of
communism led to people nationwide growing in
suspicion against people they knew. People were
blacklisted from getting jobs since they were thought to
be un-American or sympathizing with communism.
Throughout the late 40s, and into the 50s, certain people
in the entertainment industry were put on a blacklist preventing them from getting jobs. This blacklist was
instituted the day after ten writers and directors were
cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to give
testimony to the House Committee on Un-American
Activities. They were fired, arrested, and jailed. In 1954,
McCarthy made accusations against the United States
Army, with a lack of evidence. Americans, who saw the
lack of evidence televised, had begin to not believe
McCarthy and McCarthy lost his following. Many lives
had been ruined by McCarthy’s accusations.
The Hollywood Ten prior to arrest.