Communists and suspected sympathizers were primarily targeted during the McCarthy era. Here option C is correct.
The McCarthy era, also known as the Second Red Scare, took place in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign to identify and root out individuals he believed were associated with communism or sympathetic to communist ideologies.
This period was characterized by intense anti-communist sentiment and a fear of infiltration by communist spies in various aspects of American society.
While Hollywood actors and filmmakers were indeed targeted and blacklisted for alleged communist ties, scientists and intellectuals were also scrutinized.
The loyalty oath and investigations by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) affected individuals from various professions, suppressing political dissent and fostering an atmosphere of suspicion and fear during this tumultuous time. Civil rights activists, however, were not a primary focus of McCarthyism. Here option C is correct.
Complete question:
Which groups of people were targeted suring the macarthy era?
A) Scientists and intellectuals
B) Hollywood actors and filmmakers
C) Communists and suspected sympathizers
D) Civil rights activists