Final answer:
The methods of the HUAC and the treatment of the Hollywood Ten reflected the Cold War beliefs of many Americans in terms of rooting out suspected communists from the media, suspicion and intolerance towards those with communist affiliations, and the sacrifice of civil liberties for national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
The methods of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and the treatment of the Hollywood Ten reflected the Cold War beliefs of many Americans in several ways:
- First, the HUAC was established to investigate claims of disloyalty and subversive activities, particularly focused on rooting out suspected Communists. This reflected the fear of Communist influence in the media, including Hollywood's motion picture industry, which was considered a potential platform for pro-Soviet propaganda.
- Second, the HUAC's hearings targeted Hollywood, resulting in the citation of ten witnesses (the Hollywood Ten) for contempt of Congress. These individuals, who refused to testify and were believed to have Communist affiliations, were subsequently blacklisted and prevented from working in the industry. This reflected the suspicion and intolerance towards anyone suspected of Communist sympathies during the Cold War.
- Lastly, the treatment of the Hollywood Ten and the broader industry blacklist demonstrated the willingness of Americans to sacrifice basic civil liberties in their efforts to root out perceived Communist influences. This reflected the intense anti-Communist sentiment of the time and the belief that preventing Communist infiltration was crucial for national security.