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McCarthyism McCarthyism originated in the late 1940’s during the Second Red Scare period when
Senator Joseph McCarthy began making rash accusations of treason and such crimes in fear of
Communist influence on American culture. A spectrum of actions resulted from this irrational, growing fear of Communism. The Red Scare began after World War II and carried out tensions from the Cold War between the two world superpowers. The House Un-American Activities Committee was created in 1938 to monitor Communist actions. This committee sought to expose any suspected Communist supporters living in the United States. Many suspected communists lost their jobs, homes, families and were even imprisoned. Government officials, Hollywood stars, and educators were targeted mostly by these exaggerated accusations. Many well-known and appreciated people were subjected to testify their beliefs, involvement with and general knowledge of the Communist Party in the United States. The Hollywood “blacklist” included those who could not be employed due to their supposed affiliations with the Communist party. The “Hollywood Ten” were a group of ten hollywood stars subpoenaed by the HUAC that took a stand and tried to defend their first amendment rights to freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble. The Committee failed to see the value in their argument and sentenced them all to six to twelve months of imprisonment. All those who were accused after the Hollywood Ten case plead the fifth and became known as “Fifth Amendment Communist’s. Many thought that health services, vaccinations and mental health services were influenced by Communists to brainwash Americans. Joseph McCarthy convinced the majority of Americans to side with his paranoia. American officials seemed to believe that all Communists sought to overthrow the American government. Thousands of people who were subpoenaed by

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