Question

What happened to those accused by joseph mccarthy and the huac

Answer 1

Those accused by Joseph McCarthy and HUAC often faced severe consequences including imprisonment, blacklisting, and damaged reputations. The Hollywood Ten were imprisoned for refusing to testify, while others in the entertainment industry and beyond were blacklisted or boycotted. McCarthyism ultimately led to McCarthy's censure and the waning of such tactics as public opinion shifted.

Step-by-step explanation:

Consequences of McCarthyism and HUAC's Accusations

The era of McCarthyism and the investigations by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) had significant ramifications for those who were accused. Those targeted found themselves ensnared in a web of allegations with little to no evidence to support the claims. For example, in the realm of entertainment, the investigations into Hollywood led to scores of individuals, including the Hollywood Ten, being subpoenaed and required to testify on their political beliefs and associations.

Refusal to cooperate or being suspected of Communist sympathies resulted in severe consequences, such as imprisonment for the Hollywood Ten, and blacklisting for many others. The blacklist included famous figures like Orson Welles, Leo Penn, and Charlie Chaplin, whose careers were either stunted or severely compromised as a result. Works of talented artists were boycotted, and their reputations tarnished.

McCarthy's unsubstantiated accusations also extended beyond Hollywood, affecting people in various sectors, including government agencies, academia, and the military. The repercussions of these accusations included job loss, damaged reputations, and in some cases, imprisonment. The political climate was one of fear and suspicion, with the mere accusation of Communist ties being enough to ruin lives.

Public sentiment eventually shifted, and the tactics used by McCarthy and HUAC came under scrutiny. This shift culminated in a televised hearing where McCarthy failed to prove his claims against the military, leading to his censure by the Senate and his eventual political downfall. In addition to the formal censure, McCarthy's legacy was marred by his association with reckless and unsubstantiated accusations, now termed McCarthyism.

Answer 2

Joseph McCarthy and his supporters blamed people from within the government offices and outside them to be supporters of the communist cause and a threat to American society. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was established in 1938 to investigate the people or organizations which have communist links and it was alleged to be serving for McCarthy. There are various ways in which the accused responded while some left the country and never came back, some became less active in political affairs. However, one common thing which was experienced by them was the pressure of investigations.