The McCarthy Trials

The McCarthy Trials

A modern day witch hunt

A modern day witch hunt

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government.

The Alien Registration Act

The Alien Registration Act

passed by Congress on 29th June, 1940

made it illegal for anyone in the United States to advocate, aide, or teach the desirability of overthrowing the government.

The law also required all alien residents in the U.S. over 14 years of age to file statement of their personal and occupational status of their political beliefs.

passed by Congress on 29th June, 1940

made it illegal for anyone in the United States to advocate, aide, or teach the desirability of overthrowing the government.

The law also required all alien residents in the U.S. over 14 years of age to file statement of their personal and occupational status of their political beliefs.

Senator McCarthySenator McCarthy

A senator from Wisconsin He accused hundreds of politicians,

writers, directors, entertainers, and homosexuals of communist affiliation

Made it clear to witnesses that the only way to show allegiance to U.S. was to name names of others in the communist party

His trials were highly publicized and ruined many careers

A senator from Wisconsin He accused hundreds of politicians,

writers, directors, entertainers, and homosexuals of communist affiliation

Made it clear to witnesses that the only way to show allegiance to U.S. was to name names of others in the communist party

His trials were highly publicized and ruined many careers

The House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)The House of Un-American

Activities Committee (HUAC)

The objective was to undermine the American communist party

Established in 1938 by congress under Martin Dies to investigate unpatriotic behavior

In 1947 J. Parnell Thomas began an investigation into the Hollywood Motion Picture Association

The objective was to undermine the American communist party

Established in 1938 by congress under Martin Dies to investigate unpatriotic behavior

In 1947 J. Parnell Thomas began an investigation into the Hollywood Motion Picture Association

“Friendly Witnesses”“Friendly Witnesses”

The HUAC interviewed 41 people who were working in Hollywood.

These people attended voluntarily and became known as "friendly witnesses".

During their interviews they named nineteen people who they accused of holding left-wing views.

Ten of these nineteen people refused to name names to save themselves. They became known as the “Hollywood Ten”

The HUAC interviewed 41 people who were working in Hollywood.

These people attended voluntarily and became known as "friendly witnesses".

During their interviews they named nineteen people who they accused of holding left-wing views.

Ten of these nineteen people refused to name names to save themselves. They became known as the “Hollywood Ten”

The Red ChannelsThe Red Channels

June 1950: a pamphlet listing 151 names of writers, directors, and actors who were alleged communists

These people were blacklisted until they were cleared by HUAC

Anyone who refused to name names for HUAC was blacklisted by Hollywood studios

June 1950: a pamphlet listing 151 names of writers, directors, and actors who were alleged communists

These people were blacklisted until they were cleared by HUAC

Anyone who refused to name names for HUAC was blacklisted by Hollywood studios

Arthur MillerArthur Miller

Used his personal moral and political convictions to write over 30 stage plays and screen plays

Won a Pulitzer prize for his outstanding efforts

Was convicted of contempt of congress for not naming names to HUAC

Conviction was overturned a year later

Used his personal moral and political convictions to write over 30 stage plays and screen plays

Won a Pulitzer prize for his outstanding efforts

Was convicted of contempt of congress for not naming names to HUAC

Conviction was overturned a year later

The CrucibleThe Crucible

." The Crucible, which premiered in 1953, is a fictionalization of the Salem witch-hunts of 1692, but it also deals in an allegorical manner with the House Un-American Activities Committee.

." The Crucible, which premiered in 1953, is a fictionalization of the Salem witch-hunts of 1692, but it also deals in an allegorical manner with the House Un-American Activities Committee.