Senator Joseph McCarthy
(undated photo, Associated Press)
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Purpose: What you will learn:
You will read a
flowchart that explains the anticommunist hysteria
in the U.S. in the 1940s and 1950s, which became
known as "McCarthyism." You will understand who
Senator Joseph McCarthy was and be able to discuss
the effects of his anticommunist
campaign.
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Step
1: Scroll down through the timeline, which shows
you the progression of anticommunist hysteria in
the U.S. in the 1940s and 1950s. Read
carefully.
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This
symbol contains the dates and primary information
in the timeline.
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This
symbol provides additional information to the main
event.
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This
symbol contains definitions and points out ironic
situations.
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<--
Click here to go to the timeline
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Step
2. After you have read the timeline carefully,
reflect on what happened and complete one of the
writing assignments below.
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ECR:
Think about the
events that led to McCarthy's accusations and the
fears that Americans had about Communism. Was this
panic justified? Before you use your 21st century
ideals and say "no," think about the events in the
Soviet Union and China, and the accusations against
Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs.
Imagine you heard a
government official say (in 1953), "These actions
are necessary to protect the United States. If some
innocent people experience some discomfort in the
process, we're sorry, but it is for the protection
of all." Given the events of the time, evaluate
this statement and state an opinion.
A complete answer
will review some of the most important events of
the anticommunist movement, evaluate the actions of
the House Un-American Activities Committee and
Senator Joseph McCarthy, and state an opinion
regarding what happened.
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BCR:
What was the price of
the anticommunism activities that came to be known
as McCarthyism? Thousands of people lost their
jobs, were blacklisted, or were never hired.
Thousands more decided to keep their opinions
private, rather than express them and be accused of
communism. We will never know how many books were
not written, movies were not made, songs were not
sung, and paintings were not painted as a result of
McCarthyism. We will never know what great leaders
decided not to run for office.
Write a Brief
Constructed Response expressing your opinion of the
short-term and long-term effects of McCarthyism.
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BCR:
When Edward R. Murrow
profiled Senator Joseph McCarthy on his television
program "See It Now," he commented, "We must not
confuse dissent with disloyalty." What did he mean
by this, and how could it be applied
today?
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