The 1950s Red Scare

What was the Second Red Scare?

After the Second World War, many people in America believed the communists were trying to take over America. It led to the Second Red Scare, with thousands of people put on trial and losing their jobs, often with very little proof.

When did the Second Red Scare happen?

The Second Red Scare was in the 1940s and 1950s.

What did the FBI do during the Second Red Scare?

The FBI, or Federal Bureau of Investigation, was anti-communist and played a big part in arresting those suspected of communism during the First Red Scare of 1919-20. As the Cold War began, they once again began collecting information on those they suspected of spying for the Soviet Union.

What did the Federal Loyalty Boards do during the Second Red Scare?

The Federal Loyalty Boards were created to investigate government employees to see if they were communists or had links to communism.

How many people did the Federal Loyalty Boards investigate during the second Red Scare?

3 million government employees were investigated between 1947 and 1951; approximately 3,000 were sacked or made to resign from their jobs.

What was the role of HUAC during the Second Red Scare?

HUAC, or the House Committee on Un-American Activities, had 2 main roles:

• ❖ It was created in 1938 to monitor any groups suspected of activities believed to be 'un-American'.
• ❖ From 1947, it began public hearings on the threat posed by the Communist Party of America. Suspected communists and witnesses were questioned and, depending on their responses, sent for trial.

What happened to the Hollywood Ten during the Second Red Scare?

The Hollywood Ten:

• ❖ Consisted of 10 Hollywood writers, producers and directors questioned by HUAC about communism within the film industry.
• ❖ Refused to answer any questions using the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
• ❖ Were jailed for one year and blacklisted from working in Hollywood.

What was the role of Alger Hiss during the Second Red Scare?

Alger Hiss was important during the Second Red Scare for 3 main reasons:

• ❖ He was a member of the state department who was accused of passing information to the Soviet Union.
• ❖ In 1949, he was put on trial and sentenced to 5 years in prison for lying to the court. Although he was never convicted of spying, many thought he must have been guilty of something.
• ❖ During the Hiss trial, the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb, heightening fears over communism.

What did the Rosenbergs do during the Second Red Scare?

The 4 key details of the Rosenberg case were:

• ❖ A married couple were accused of spying for the Soviet Union and passing secrets about the atomic bomb.
• ❖ They were found guilty in March 1951 and executed in June 1953.
• ❖ Some Americans thought the Rosenbergs were innocent, but many more believed they were responsible for helping the Soviet Union make its first atomic bomb.
• ❖ The case caused great fear in America, particularly as the couple's arrest coincided with the outbreak of the Korean War.

What did the McCarran Act do during the Second Red Scare?

The Second Red Scare had 2 main results:

• ❖ The McCarran Act was passed in August 1950, requiring all communist organisations to register with the government.
• ❖ The Act was strengthened in 1952, banning communists from holding US passports or having certain jobs.

What was McCarthy's role in the Second Red Scare?

Joseph McCarthy was a Republican senator. He conducted a powerful campaign against alleged communists which became known as the McCarthy witch hunts. He was widely believed at first, as Americans were worried about 'Reds under the bed', but his claims were later proven false.