Final answer:
The formation of the Communist International created fear of a worldwide spread of communism and potential revolutions that could challenge the existing political and social order. The Second Red Scare exemplified this fear within the United States, characterized by paranoia and political accusations. These fears were heightened by global events and the propagation of anti-communist propaganda.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Formation of the Communist International and its Impact
The formation of the Communist International, also known as the Comintern, sparked the fear that communism could spread globally, leading to revolutions that could overthrow existing political and social orders. This idea was further fuelled by events such as the victory of Communist forces in China, the outbreak of the Korean War, and a political climate that was increasingly suspicious of any Communist sympathies within the United States.
Similarly, within the Soviet Union, there was a hardliner approach against anyone perceived as being soft on potential threats from the West, which led to a Cold War climate that discouraged any challenge to official government positions.
During the Second Red Scare in the United States, the discovery of Soviet spies and the fear of Communist subversion within the country caused widespread paranoia and the political labeling of individuals as soft on Communism for political gain. The Red Scare refers to periods of great fear of communism in America, particularly the one between 1919 and 1920, and another following World War II.
Incidents such as the uncovering of a spy ring within the Manhattan Project intensified these fears. Furthermore, the global reach of the Soviet Union and the calls for international revolution led to fears of Communist influence in developing nations. The Cold War era saw a continued rivalrous dynamic between Communist countries, which contributed to American fears of a Communist overthrow.
These fears were propagated through various media, including propaganda comic books like "Is This Tomorrow?" that illustrated the dangers of Communist dictatorship.