The Second Red Scare

The Second Red Scare

Began during the Cold War (late 1940s through the 1950s)

This period is described as McCarthyism It was fear of the spread of Communism in

the United States and its institutions SPYING for the Soviet Union Major player = Sen. Joseph McCarthy

Senator Joseph McCarthy

Senator Joseph McCarthy

Republican Senator from Wisconsin Fought in WWII Began a very weak career in politics His war record was being scrutinized and was

being charged with tax offences and bribery In fear of losing next election, he needed

something big!

The Second Red Scare

Government feared communist and communist sympathizers had infiltrated government institutions

Thousands of people were accused Gov’t employees, celebrities, educators,

and union activists were the accused There was little or no evidence against

any of the accused

The Accused

The accused were brought before the Senate for hearings and interrogations.

Their names were dragged through the mud. Sen. McCarthy did not have any evidence of the

accusations. Many careers and lives were ruined because of

these accusations. People did not want to be involved with a

“communist”.

The Accused

Langston Hughes W.E.B. DuBois Charlie Chaplan Arthur Miller Leonard Bernstein Orson Welles Lee Grant

The Accused

The Fall of McCarthyism

Lack of evidence Televised hearings Presidential scrutiny Edward R. Murrow McCarthy’s self-centeredness Alcoholism

The Fall Of McCarthyism

On December 3, 1953, the Senate voted to censure McCarthy.

Images of McCarthyism