February 9, 1950, Wheeling, West Virginia: Joseph R. McCarthy, senator of Wisconsin, gives a speech at a meeting of the Republican Women’s Club, claiming that he owns a list of 205 names of members of the Communist party who are employed in the State Department. Although the number of the names changes with the place where the speech is given, the press is electrified by his claims and the senator soon personifies American anti-Communism.
In order to explain the circumstances under which it was possible to persecute and harass American citizens in the way McCarthy did after his speech had been successful, a closer look at the decades previous to McCarthy’s appearance is necessary.
Therefore, this essay will first focus on the Red Scare of 1919-20, since it can serve ‘both as an analogy and a legacy’ for the events to come. Afterwards the ‘little red scare’ of the thirties will be examined, since anti-Communist sentiments aroused again under Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal programme. During the ‘little red scare’, anti-Communism was rather a domestic issue. Therefore, it could easily be ended by the 2nd World War, since foreign affairs dominated American politics then. However, the following section will focus on the aftermath of the 2nd World War, since several events in America’s foreign policy transferred the anti-Communist sentiments to being international concerns. Thus, the years directly preceding McCarthy’s speech will be examined in detail. Particular attention will be paid to McCarthy himself and the reasons for his success. Finally, the essay will conclude by answering the question whether or not it is accurate to describe the so-called ‘Red Scare’ as McCarthyism.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Red Scare of 1919-20
3. The 'Little Red Scare' of the Thirties
4. The Aftermath of the 2nd World War
5. The Rise of McCarthyism
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay examines the historical accuracy of equating the term "McCarthyism" with the broader "Red Scare" phenomena in the United States, investigating whether the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy were unique or the culmination of long-standing domestic anti-communist traditions.
- The Red Scare of 1919-20 as a precedent for anti-communist sentiment.
- The impact of the New Deal era on domestic anti-communist rhetoric.
- The influence of the Cold War and international tensions on post-WWII domestic policy.
- The role of political opportunism and the cases of Alger Hiss and Klaus Fuchs in escalating anti-communist hysteria.
- The differentiation between individual political actors and the systemic history of American anti-communism.
Excerpt from the Book
The Red Scare of 1919-20
The politics of the McCarthy era were not a product of the post-war period. In fact, there had been another Red Scare before McCarthy appeared on the scene: the Red Scare of 1919-20. According to Griffith, ‘the intolerant atmosphere of World War I politics, the triumph of the Bolsheviks in Russia, the organization of the American Communist Party, and widespread labor unrest all served as proximate causes.’ However, these events did not create the Red Scare themselves. The anti-Communist sentiments were created and intensified by conservative patriotic organizations. Certain groups, such as the American Protective League and the American Defense Society incited the crusade by promoting 100 per cent Americanism. Moreover, the Red Scare was fuelled by the press, since ‘sensational reporting by conservative newspapers […] further aroused popular anxieties.’ These impulses were finally implemented in the actions of politicians, which can particularly be observed for the actions of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Since Palmer was convinced that Communist spies were planning to overthrow the American government, he ‘recruited John Edgar Hoover as his special assistant and together they used the Espionage Act (1917) and the Sedition Act (1918) to launch a campaign against radicals and left-wing organizations.’ As a result, raids took place in several cities, which became known as the Palmer raids. Although no evidence of a planned insurrection was found, many suspects were arrested and held without trial.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the research question regarding whether the term "McCarthyism" is an accurate synonym for the "Red Scare" or if broader factors of intolerance were responsible.
2. The Red Scare of 1919-20: This chapter analyzes the initial period of anti-communist fervor, highlighting the roles of conservative organizations, the press, and the Palmer raids in shaping early political intolerance.
3. The 'Little Red Scare' of the Thirties: This section explores how anti-communist sentiment was revived as a tactical opposition to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, leading to the creation of the HUAC.
4. The Aftermath of the 2nd World War: This chapter details the shift from domestic anti-communism to international concerns as the Cold War emerged and anxiety grew over the loss of China and Soviet nuclear capabilities.
5. The Rise of McCarthyism: This section covers the specific circumstances of Joseph McCarthy's ascent, his exploitation of the "communist conspiracy" narrative, and his use of political fear to secure his own position.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion argues that McCarthyism was a product of, rather than the progenitor of, a long-standing tradition of American anti-communism, rendering the equation of his name with the entire phenomenon inaccurate.
Keywords
McCarthyism, Red Scare, Anti-Communism, Cold War, HUAC, Joseph McCarthy, Palmer Raids, Alger Hiss, Klaus Fuchs, Truman Administration, Political Persecution, State Department, Soviet Union, Domestic Policy, National Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay explores the historical legitimacy of defining the "Red Scare" as "McCarthyism," questioning whether the era of Senator Joseph McCarthy was a unique deviation or a continuation of existing anti-communist trends.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the evolution of American anti-communist sentiments from 1919 through the early 1950s, the role of political and patriotic organizations, and the impact of the Cold War on domestic security policies.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The primary objective is to critically assess whether the naming of an entire historical era of intolerance after McCarthy is accurate, given the long history of anti-communism that preceded him.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work employs a historical-analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, historical data, and contemporary reports to trace the genealogy of anti-communist movements in the 20th century.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the 1919-20 Red Scare, the 1930s "little red scare" linked to the New Deal, the post-WWII geopolitical shift to international fears, and the specific political opportunism practiced by McCarthy.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include McCarthyism, Red Scare, Anti-Communism, Cold War, and political persecution.
How does the case of Alger Hiss influence the narrative?
The Hiss case serves as a defining moment that provided perceived "evidence" for communist infiltration within the Democratic Party, significantly intensifying public anxiety and fueling the McCarthyite narrative.
Why does the author argue that McCarthyism is an insufficient term for the Red Scare?
The author argues that McCarthyism covers only a small portion of a much longer history of anti-communist laws and rhetoric, and that McCarthy was merely a product of these existing political currents rather than their creator.
- Citation du texte
- Patricia Schneider (Auteur), 2010, The so-called ‘Red Scare’ as McCarthyism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278160
