Final answer:
During the Second Red Scare, suspected communists were mistreated due to security concerns, political climate, and paranoia. McCarthyism led to widespread harassment and job loss across many professions, and civil liberties were often infringed upon in the name of national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why People Mistreated Suspected Communists
The mistreatment of suspected communists during the Second Red Scare was rooted in a mixture of fear, political opportunism, and genuine security concerns. During World War II, individuals with Communist affiliations were seen as potential security risks to the nation. With confirmed instances of espionage, such as those within the Manhattan Project, and ongoing international tension, the United States was on high alert. The government's actions, including the creation of internment camps and loyalty boards, aimed to counteract these perceived threats, were also fueled by a climate of hysteria and paranoia.
McCarthyism heightened the anti-communist sentiment, with accusations often based less on substantiated suspicions and more on opposition to civil rights or anti-war stances. Gay people and other minority groups were unfairly targeted due to the belief that they could be blackmailed or were more susceptible to betraying their country. The cultural impact was vast, with tens of thousands of individuals from various professions facing harassment or job loss due to alleged communist affiliations or simply having opposing political views.
The extent to which anti-communist actions were carried out varied, but generally, there was a significant infringement on civil liberties during this period. These efforts were driven by the overarching goal of protecting national security but often at the expense of individual rights and due process, leading to a deeply controversial chapter in American history.