Final answer:
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a congressional body that investigated suspected Communist activities in the U.S., particularly in Hollywood, leading to widespread blacklisting and a general atmosphere of fear during the Cold War period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a congressional committee formed to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities. Established pre-WWII and gaining notoriety during the Cold War, HUAC sought out communist influence within the United States, focusing heavily on Hollywood. The committee's investigations affected various industries, leading to blacklisting of many individuals in the entertainment sector. Witnesses who refused to testify or were suspected of having Communist sympathies could face imprisonment and loss of livelihood. The climate of fear produced by HUAC's actions and the broader anti-communist sentiment significantly stifled dissent and criticism of the government during the era.