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MCCARTHYISM
Term coined to describe the fear and hysteria caused by
the fear of communism that was at its peak in the mid
1950s thanks to senator McCarthy and his investigation
of apparent communists
HUAC
The House Un-American Activities Committee.
Established in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of
private citizens, public employees, and those organizations suspected of having communist
ties.
Became really prevalent in American society after WWII when the USSR were no longer allies.
HUAC
The questioning techniques and style of the
investigations were the model that McCarthy
based his investigations on.
HOLLYWOOD TEN
In 1947 HUAC held 9 days of investigations into communist ties in Hollywood.
Many members of the industry used to be members of communist parties or societies in
their days of university/college.
Some refused to comment, answer questions, or name other communists and were
deemed to be in contempt of congress and were blacklisted. These men were labelled the
Hollywood Ten.
HOLLYWOOD TEN
Alvah Bessie (screenwriter)
Herbert Biberman (screenwriter and director)
Lester Cole (screenwriter)
Edward Dmytryk (director)
Ring Lardner Jr. (Screenwriter)
HOLLYWOOD TEN
Eventually, more than 300 artistsincluding directors, radio commentators, actors and
particularly screenwriterswere boycotted by the studios.
Some, like Charlie Chaplin & Orson Welles, left the U.S or went underground to find work.
Others wrote under pseudonyms or the names of colleagues.
Only about ten percent succeeded in rebuilding careers within the entertainment industry.
BLACKLISTING
THE TERM BLACKLIST REFERS TO THE ACT OF
FALLOUT
MCCARTHYISM AND THE ERA OF SCAPEGOATING
STARTED TO FIZZLE OUT IN 1954 WHEN
MCCARTHY ANNOUNCED HE PLANNED TO
INVESTIGATE THE MILITARY
FALLOUT
IT WAS ALSO DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO BLACKLIST, CHARGE OR IMPRISON PEOPLE BASED ON
THEIR CHOSEN POLITICAL PARTY OR AFFILIATIONS. IT WENT AGAINST FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND
EXPRESSION.
AS THE 50S ENDED AND THE 1960S BEGAN, HUAC AND THE MCCARTHYISM ERA RAPIDLY DECLINED DUE
TO FREEDOM MOVEMENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE PLACED ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH & ACTIONS AT THE
TIME.