Question

During the Cold War, people were afraid of communists, both outside and inside the UnitedStates. The Red Scare and McCarthyism that grew out of these fears was damaging to the American way of life. During the McCarthy years, many of the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights were limited. Write a paragraph explaining what lessons can be learned from the McCarthy era about what U.S. citizens need to protect in order to preserve the democratic political system and American way of life.

Answer 1

The Red Scare (often referred to as the Second Red Scare to distinguish it from the post-WWI period) lasted from the late 1940s through the 1950s. It was characterized by political repression and a campaign of fear against Communism and Soviet espionage. Hundreds of Americans were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers, and the government conducted aggressive investigations against them. Many people lost their jobs or careers. Some were imprisoned. Many of these verdicts were later declared unconstitutional.

This period teaches us several important lessons regarding liberties and rights. First of all, it is a reminder of how valuable rights like freedom of speech or freedom of thought are, and how we can often take these liberties for granted. It also reminds us of the risk of having a government that turns against its citizens, or that misinterprets the laws for its benefit. Finally, it serves as a reminder of how citizens can turn against one another in times of crisis. It is important to keep these lessons in mind so that we can always strive for the protection of liberties, the respect for the constitution and the unity of the country.

Answer 2

Following World War 2, as the Cold War developed and the Soviet Union was gathering allies, there was much fear -- and fear-mongering -- in the United States about the threat of communism. This time period, from the late 1940s to late 1950s, is known as the Second Red Scare. This was when the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was created and when Senator Joseph McCarthy began a campaign of accusations against suspected communists in various sectors of American life. During the Second Red Scare, many people were targeted -- including especially those in the entertainment industry, journalism, and in government and the military. The lessons learned from the McCarthy era showed that the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights must be vigorously defended. If individual's rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association are called into question, and due process of law is not followed, everything America stands for can come under attack.

A good film you might look for on the subject of McCarthy's fear campaign and how it was overcome is the 2005 movie, "Good Night and Good Luck." The film shows the efforts of journalist Edward R. Murrow to battle against McCarthy's excesses and unfounded accusations. It was especially through the efforts of Murrow that McCarthy's excessive actions were stopped.