Name: Sophie Brown

Teacher: Marston

Section II

Time: 130 minutes

(DO NOT BREAK SEAL UNTIL INSTRUCTED)
 American HISTORY
Section II
Part A
(Suggested writing time—40 minutes)
Percent of Section II score—50

Directions: The following Question requires you to construct a coherent essay that integrates
your interpretation of Documents A-G and your knowledge of the period referred to in the
question. In your essay, you should strive to support your assertions both by citing key pieces of
evidence from the documents and by drawing on your knowledge of the period.

1. The 1950’s political phenomenon of McCarthyism grew out of the existing anti-
communist climate in the United States during the period from 1917 through 1954.

Evaluate this statement using the documents and your knowledge of the political and
social history of the years 1917 through 1954.

Document A

Source: Telegram from the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
(November 7, 1917)

Bolsheviki appear to have control of everything here. Cannot learn whereabouts of

any Minister. Two reported arrested and taken to Smolny Institute which is
headquarters of Bolsheviki. Trotsky made incendiary speech Sunday and was
followed in Russian by a man, Muscareis Nereid, who claims sane strain [sic].
Trotsky introduced Lenin to Bolshevik audience to-day and Lenin made peace talk,
violently attacking bourgeoisie and advocating division of property. No government
here at present. Little firing on the street but no armed contests, some streets guarded.
Majority of soldiers claim to be neutral but nearly all here are with Bolsheviki who
say will form new government and notify Allies Russia cannot fight more and
announce peace terms to Germany and if not accepted will then fight desperately for
Russia. Many newspapers, perhaps all, suppressed.

10 p.m. Reported all Ministers arrested except Kerensky who has gone to Luga about
80 miles toward north front.

FRANCIS
 Document B

Source: “New Trial Denied to Sacco, Vanzetti; Appeal to be Made” The New York Times Oct. 24,
1926.

BOSTON, Oct. 23 —Judge Webster Thayer at Dedham today denied a new trial to Nicolo Sacco
and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, convicted of the murder of a paymaster and a guard at South Braintree
in 1920….

The long legal battle of Sacco and V[a]nzetti to escape execution has aroused world-wide
interest. Thousands of radials in may countries contributed to the enormous defense sum
expanded in an effort to save them….

Since their conviction the defense has held that the two men were “rail-roaded” because they
were Italians and radicals….They took the stand in their own defense. They admitted that they
were radicals and that they fled to Mexico in 1917 to escape the draft.
 Document C

Source: “High Lenin Statue on Palace Planned” The New York Times May 31, 1933.

MOSCOW, May 30 — A gigantic statue of Lenin, dwarfing all the thousands now dotting Soviet
Russia in honor of the leader of the Bolshevik revolution, will be the crowning glory of the
much-talked-of Palace of the Soviets, according to the latest plan….

a design by B. M. Iofan, Soviet architect, finally has been accepted as the basis for the project
after three competitions…

Hector O. Hamilton of New York, who won first prize in the original world-wide competition for
the best design, also submitted drawings in the other two contests, all entries in which were
viewed by Joseph V. Stalin and other high Soviet officials before the final decision was made….

Mr. Hamilton, who lives at the Hotel Hamilton, said last night his claim against the Soviet for
designs previously accepted for the Palace amounted to $297,000….The present award, Mr.
Hamilton said, was a move to forestall his claim. He declared his refusal to [j]oin the Communist
Party in Russia had a bearing on the award.
 Document D

Source: “Roosevelt Signs Alien Registry Bill” The Washington Post Jun. 30, 1940.

The President’s statement accompanying the signing of the legislation follows:

“The Alien Registration Act of 1940, which I have just signed, should be interpreted and
administered as a program designed not only for the protection of the country but also the for the
protection of the loyal aliens who are its guests….I ask that citizens and noncitizens alike
cooperate with a full sense of the responsibilities involved so that we may accomplish this task of
registration smoothly, quickly and in a friendly manner, our aim being to preserve and build up
the loyalty and confidence of those aliens within our borders who desire to be faithful to its
principles. With those aliens who are disloyal and are bent on harm to the country, the
Government, through its law enforcement agencies, can and will deal vigorously.”…

[Attorney General] Jackson warned...that loyal aliens must not be oppressed to a point where
they become “sullen enemies.”… The term, “fifth column,” he said, is used to cover every kind
of activity from outright treason to simple opposition to the Government.

Document E

Source: President Truman’s Diary Entry on the Atom Bomb (July 25, 1945)

We met at 11 A.M. Today. That is Stalin, Churchill, and the U.S. President. But I had a most
important session with Lord Mountbatten and General Marshall before that. We have discovered
the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may de the fire distruction [destruction]
prophesied in the Euphrates River Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark. Anyway we think
we have found the way to cause a disintegration of the atom….This weapon is to be used against
Japan between now and August 10th….It is certainly a good thing for the world that Hitler’s
crowd or Stalin’s did not discover this atomic bomb. It seems to be the most terrible thing ever
discovered, but it can be made the most useful.

Document F

Source: Text of Churchill Plea for Alliance (March 6, 1946)

Beware, I say; time may be short. Do not let us take the course of letting events drift along till it
is too late. If there is to be a fraternal association of the kind I have described, with all the extra
strength and security which both our countries can derive form it, let us make sure that that great
fact is know to the world and that it plays its part in steadying and stabilizing the foundations of
peace. Prevention is better than cure.

A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory. Nobody knows what
Soviet Russia and its Communist international organization intends to do in the immediate
future, or what are the limits if any to their expansive and proselytizing tendencies….

From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain had descended across the
Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern
Europe…. all these famous cities and the populations around them lie to the Soviet sphere and all
are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and increasing
measure of control form Moscow.
 Document G

Source: Two Washington Comments on the “Truman Doctrine” (1947)

Document A: Telegram from the Russian Ambassador

This telegram is from the Russian Ambassador in Moscow to the Secretary of State on
the day the Bolsheviks instituted a Soviet government in Russia, November 7, 1917. The
Bolshevik Revolution in Russia began the mistrust between the United States and the New
Soviet Union. The communist ideal of the “red Russians” was in complete contradiction to the
capitalist ideal of the United States. The American support of the “white Russians” during the
following Russian civil war did not help diplomatic relations between the two countries after the
Soviet government was securely in power. A student could use this document to show the
mistrust of the Soviets in the comments of the American ambassador. The ambassador’s
comments on the lack of government and suppression of the newspapers denotes his dislike of
the Soviets and the current direction of the revolution. As the audience is the Secretary of State
of the United States this telegram shows the American opinion of the communist Soviets. The
ambassador’s phrases such as “violently attacking bourgeoisie” and his general tone towards the
Red Army foreshadows the panic and hysteria of McCarthyism.

Document B: Newspaper Article about the Denied Retrial of Sacco and Vanzetti

The denied retrial of Sacco and Vanzetti by Judge Thayer on October 23, 1926, is an
example of anti-radical sentiment during the first red scare of the 1920’s. Sacco and Vanzetti
were thought to be scapegoats for the murder of a paymaster and a guard in 1920 based on their
open admission on the stand to being radicals. The Sacco and Vanzetti case showed the
xenophobia of the post World War I society. A student could use this document to talk about the
xenophobia and anti-radicalism of the 1920s that developed into the anti-communism of
McCarthyism after the rise of the Soviet Union. Americans were pre-disposed to think badly of
communists due to the already-present dislike of any radical groups. With this document a
student may also talk about the palmer raids, which shared similarities with the trials of the
Hollywood Ten during McCarthyism or how the Sacco and Vanzetti trial was a harbinger of the
more serious trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1951.

Document C: Newspaper Article about Soviet Plans for a Lenin Statue

This article talks about a competition for the design of the Palace of the Soviets in Soviet
Russia in 1933. This article shows the increasing tension between the U.S.S.R and the United
States as Hamilton’s, an American, design is rejected in favor of a design by a soviet architect,
Iofan. A student could use this article to show the diplomatic tension between the two countries
as well as the increase in anti-communist sentiment, especially in the media. Hamilton’s belief
that his “ his refusal to [j]oin the Communist Party in Russia had a bearing on the award” shows
the American mistrust of the Soviets. The emphasis on Stalin’s and other “high government
officials’” involvement in the decision supports the growing American idea that the soviet
government maintained full control over every decision and suppressed the freedoms of its
citizens. This article shows the apparent mistrust of the Soviets and the believed power of
Moscow over communists world wide, the basis of McCarthyism, have their roots in the pre-
World War II interactions between the two countries.

Document D: Newspaper Article on the Signing of the Alien Registration Bill

 Roosevelt’s signing of the Alien Registration Bill legalized the registration of immigrants
all over the country. In Roosevelt’s statement in the article, he emphasizes the act as a measure to
protect the country, its citizens and its loyal guests. By singling out the “loyal” immigrants,
Roosevelt implies the presence of disloyal immigrants, an idea reflective of the time period. A
student could use this article to show the American xenophobia and fear of radical immigrants
trying to destroy the American government. As the tension between the Soviet Union and the
United States increased the American xenophobia transformed into anti-communism as
Americans began to identify the Soviets, rather than all radicals, as their enemy. The Alien
Registration Act, or Smith Act, also allowed the federal government to deport any immigrants
participating in seditious activities or threatening the existence of the American government. This
Act was used in some cases during the reign of McCarthyism to convict possible communists.

Document E: President Truman’s Diary Entry on the Atom Bomb

President Truman’s Diary Entry on the Atomic Bomb reveals the president’s mistrust of
the Soviets. President Truman talks about the American discovery of the atomic bomb and its
destructive power, emphasizing his relief that neither Hitler nor Stalin had discovered the atomic
bomb before the U.S. Scientists on the Manhattan project. A student could use this document to
show President Truman’s mistrust of Stalin, as he believes Stalin would not use the atomic bomb
for useful purposes, as well as incorporate outside information about the Conference at Potsdam
where Truman received the news. Also the Soviets previous knowledge of the bomb, before
Truman’s threats, which increased the fear of communist spies and led to the trial of Julius and
Ethel Rosenberg in 1951, a major trial during McCarthyism.

Document F: Newspaper Article of Churchill’s Plea for Alliance

Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech was delivered at Westminster College, Missouri in an

attempt to rally support for the allied cause. Churchill tried to gain the support of the American
people in taking a firm stand against the Soviet Union’s plan for expansion. A student could use
this document to show the American anti-communist sentiment after World War II. Churchill’s
statements were well designed for the American public as the Soviet-American relations were
deteriorating. Although during the war the United States helped supply the Soviet Union in the
effort to fight Hitler, after the war the two conflicting world views of American capitalism and
Soviet communism destroyed the alliance. A student could include the war conferences,
including Yalta, where Great Britain and the United States were allied in opposition to the Soviet
Union on many issues, such as the Polish Government. This speech shows the lack of
communication between the former allies that bred fear and prejudice.

Document G: Cartoons on the Truman Doctrine

These two cartoons comment on the American post-war foreign policy in an attempt to
“contain” communism and the Soviet Union. The money sent to Greece and Turkey to
“stabilize” the two countries was an important public statement that the United States would
maintain anti-communist foreign policy. A student could use these cartoons to talk about the
Truman Doctrine, the Marshal Plan and the overarching policy of Containment. The cartoons
show the U.S. dominance of world affairs in relation to containment, thinking they were playing
a zero-sum game with the Soviets. The anti-communist political actions spread into social beliefs
as the government’s mistrust of the Soviets encouraged the American public to adopt “anti-red”
beliefs leading to the mass hysteria of McCarthyism.

Outside Information

McCarthyism
Russian Revolution
U.S. Involvement in Russian Civil War (Red Army vs. White Army)
Sacco and Vanzetti
Palmer Raids
1920s Xenophobia
National Origins Act
First Red Scare
Refusal to recognize Soviet Union until 1933
“Legacy of Mistrust”
Stalin-Hitler Pact
Atlantic Charter (4 Freedoms)
Yalta (Poland), Potsdam (Atomic Bomb)
Policy of Containment
Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
Iron Curtain, (“Iron Curtain” Speech)
Berlin Airlift
NATO
Refusal to recognize The People’s Republic of China
Smith Act of 1940 (Alien Registration Act)
Loyalty Boards and Oaths (1947)
McCarran Internal Securities Act
House Un-American Activities Commission
Hollywood 10 (blacklists)
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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