American History Chapter 25-3

The Second Red Scare

Second Red Scare • • Aug., 1949: Soviet Union detonates an atomic bomb. Communists gain control of China.

– The U.S. supported the corrupt gov’t. of Chiang Kai-shek.

– Mao Zedong & the Communists forced the Nationalists out.

• Americans become very concerned about the spread of Communism.

Anti-Communism Movement in America • • HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee: – Investigate Communist activities in the U.S.

1947: Investigated the film industry .

– Hollywood Ten refused to answer questions & were sentenced to a year in prison.

• Scared people into turning in names of other suspected radicals.

• More Anti-Communism Activism 1950 McCarran Act: – Required Communist organizations to register with the gov’t. – Prevented Communists & radicals from entering the country.

– Pres. Truman vetoed the bill.

•

Said it would support Communism by making a joke of the

Bill of Rights.

– Congress overrode the veto .

American Spy Cases • 1948: Alger Hiss was accused of being a Communist spy.

– Convicted of perjury & served 44 months in prison.

• 1951: Ethel & Julius Rosenberg were convicted of spying for the Soviets.

- Executed in 1953.

The Rosenbergs

Electrocuted: 1953

• Rise of McCarthyism Senator Joseph McCarthy made charges that there were Communists holding positions in the U.S. State Department.

– Americans believed because they were fearful.

– All of McCarthy’s charges were unsubstantiated by evidence.

–

He lost credibility when it was discovered he had lied,

manipulated people’s fears, and persecuted individuals.