Conspiracy theories constituted the political software of many cycles of American politics. Originally published by Prologue (Spring 2002), the United States National Archives and Records Administration, to the public domain.
National and state officials initiated loyalty checks to identify and remove from office suspect government workers. “Un-American” Activities As fighting during World War II raged on, Allied leaders Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill grew suspicious of Joseph Stalin’s postwar plans for the Soviet Union. They came to realize that the Russian dictator could not be[…]
He ruined the reputations and lives of many people by accusing them without credible evidence. Introduction McCarthyism was a term coined to describe activities associated with Republican senator Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin. He served in the Senate from 1947 to 1957. In the American political lexicon, the term has its origin in a March[…]
One from 1917 to 1920, and another longer one from 1947 to 1957 with Joseph McCarthy’s infamous witch hunt. Introduction A “Red Scare” is the promotion of a widespread fear of a potential rise of communism or anarchism by a society or state. The name refers to the red flags that the communists use. The[…]
This witch-hunt harmed even more people than did the Red Scare, often trying to throw people under both buses. Introduction The lavender scare refers to a witch hunt and the mass firings of homosexual people in the 1950s from the United States government. It contributed to and paralleled the anti-communist campaign known as McCarthyism and the Second[…]
“Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist party?” Introduction In the 1950s, thousands of Americans who toiled in the government, served in the army, worked in the movie industry, or came from various walks of life had to answer the above question before a congressional panel. Senator Joseph McCarthy[…]
An embarrassing end to a career and ironic end to a life. By Gina K. Logue Roy Marcus Cohn (1927–1986) is best known for his work as the chief counsel to Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin Republican whose interrogations of alleged communists during the cold war “red scare” contributed to a chilling effect on freedom[…]
“Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist party?” Introduction In the 1950s, thousands of Americans who toiled in the government, served in the army, worked in the movie industry, or came from various walks of life had to answer that question before a congressional panel. Senator Joseph McCarthy rose to[…]