Transcript MCcArthyism

For each of the pictures be able to explain what is happening. Which
phase of the Korean War are we looking at? Who is on the
offensive/defensive? Discuss with your partner. We will share out at 12:25
WARM UP
DOT GAME
“Who’s a dot?!”
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Each of you will receive a piece of paper. Some will
have dots; more of them will be blank. Do not let
others see your paper.
Look at your piece of paper secretly to see if you
have a dot. Do not let anyone know whether or not
you have a dot.
Then put the piece of paper under your binde
Goal
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If you are a non-dotted person, you are trying to
create the largest group possible of non-dotted
people.
 If
you create the largest group of non-dotted people,
you win.
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If you are a dotted person, your goal is to be the
only dotted person in a group.
 If
you are the only dotted person in a group, you win
Playing The Game
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You will have 10 minutes to talk to each other in order
to figure out who has a dot.
If someone asks whether you have a dot, say that you
do not, even if you do.
Look for people who look like they are lying or who
seem suspicious.
If you think someone has a dot, call out, “___[name]___
has a dot!” If you have a dot, try to bluff to convince
others that you don’t.
Directions
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Your goal if you do not have a dot is to create as big
a group of non-dotted students as you can, so you
want to exclude dotted people from your group. The
winners of the non-dotted people are those in the
biggest group without a dotted person. Your group
loses if there’s any dotted person in it.
A dotted person can also be a winner if he or she is
the only dotted person in a group, so if you have a
dot, try not to get found out, but try to get other
dotted people out of whatever group you are in.
If you are asked to leave a group, you must leave.
Debrief
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For those who were dots, how did you convince others you
were not a “dot”?
For those who were accused of being a dot, how did you
feel? What were you fearful or suspicious of in this activity?
In summary, what emotions fueled this activity? Can you think
of any time in American history when something like this
occurred?
What does this activity show us about how people respond
to accusations and fear of accusations?
MCCARTHYISM
Background: Communism in America
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During the Great Depression, tens of thousands of
Americans had joined the Communist Party
After WWII, membership declined
Communist Party Membership in American History
`
Number of members, in thousands
100
80
60
40
20
0
1928
1938
1943
1950
1970
Year
Source: The Enduring Vision textbook
Fear of Communism
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During the Cold War,
politicians encouraged fear of
Communism
Truman administration began
to investigate people who still
belonged to the Communist
Party
Loyalty program
 6.6
million Americans were
investigated
How to spot a communist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCR9vE0cM-U
HUAC
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Congress began the
House Un-American Activities
Committee (HUAC)
to investigate Communist
“infiltration” of America
In 1947, HUAC called
Hollywood directors, writers,
actors and producers to testify

Asked: “Are you now or have you
ever been a member of the
Communist Party?”
Think/Pair/Share


What is wrong with these actions?
Why might some argue that HUAC was itself unAmerican?
HUAC & The Hollywood Ten
 Some
refused to testify
 They became known as the “Hollywood
Ten”
 Served
 Studios
jail terms from 6 months-1 year
began “blacklisting” people who
were accused of having Communist ties
McCarran Act

Unlawful to promote any action that would lead to a
totalitarian dictatorship
 Immigrants
deported if they were suspected
 Internment camps for “dangerous or disloyal” people

Truman vetoed it…
 “One
of the most un-American acts I have ever witnessed in
my political career”
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But Congress passed it over his veto
Joseph McCarthy
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In 1950, Wisconsin Senator
Joseph McCarthy gave a speech
in which he declared
“I have here in my hand a list of 205
[people] who were known to the secretary
of state as being members of the
Communist Party and who, nevertheless,
are still working and shaping policy at the
State Department.”
McCarthyism

McCarthy – Sensational charges
 When
pressed, he reduced his list at the state department
from 205 to 57

Created a culture of fear
How McCarthyism Worked
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Just being accused could lead
people to lose their jobs
McCarthy targeted people in
public hearings
The goal: get people fired for being
actual (or suspected) Communists
End of McCarthyism
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In 1954, televised hearings
began
Through the hearings, it became
clear that McCarthy was pursuing
baseless charges – and targeting
anyone who spoke out against
him
Senate formally condemned him
 Resolution
301
Defining McCarthyism Today

McCarthyism is a term now used for witch hunts,
typically those that are politically motivated.
McCarthyism Continued
Warm Up

Write a 3-4
sentence analysis of
this political
cartoon. What is
being depicted?
Include as much
information as
possible to
demonstrate your
knowledge US
history.
Political Cartoon Analysis

The cartoon shows the Committee on Un-American Activities
driving recklessly through the streets, obviously not bothering to
care that they were running over people. Chaos is evident, with
all papers flying all over, parking meters falling over, and
general looks of terror on the faces of people. Block was
trying to show that Joseph McCarthy’s committee was wreaking
havoc on the American populace and would not stop for
anything. This appears to be true, since it was around this time
that McCarthy began to subpoena individuals in Hollywood
(screenwriters, directors, actors, etc.). He was directly attacking
American icons that were known all around the world. Some of
the people accused of being a Communist included Charlie
Chaplin, Arthur Miller, Langston Hughes, and Orson Welles.
Analyzing McCarthyism
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Clip
1. What were people so afraid of?
2. What did he accuse the other party of?
3. Who did he target?
4. How did this damage the country?
COLD WAR IN COMIC
BOOKS

What message(s) does this
communicate to children?
Symbols & Argument?
Why did people go along with it?

While you listen to this clip, answer these questions:
1. What might be the risk of speaking out against him?
Directions
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We will examine several comic book covers
For each, you will write in your notes 1-2 bullet
points about the messages these comics
communicated to children
Exit Card
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1. Why were so many people scared of McCarthy?
2. What is “McCarthyism?”
3. How did the Red Scare infiltrate American
culture?