Final answer:
The correct option is b) House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was responsible for investigating alleged communist sympathizers, particularly in the Hollywood film industry, resulting in widespread fear and the creation of the infamous Hollywood blacklists.
Step-by-step explanation:
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), established in 1938, played a significant role in investigating political ideologies and actions, focusing on individuals accused of being communists or having communist sympathies in the United States. This congressional committee gained notoriety for its high-profile investigations, particularly within the movie industry, during a period marked by heightened anti-communist sentiments in the United States.
HUAC's most famous inquiries were directed at the alleged Communist influence within Hollywood. The committee, through a series of hearings, subpoenaed and interrogated numerous individuals, including actors, directors, and writers. These investigations resulted in the creation of what is now infamous as the 'Hollywood blacklists.' Individuals who were deemed to have communist affiliations or refused to cooperate with HUAC's inquiries faced severe consequences.
The repercussions for those accused of Communist ties were profound. Witnesses who refused to cooperate could be held in contempt of Congress and face imprisonment. Even those who were not imprisoned often suffered severe damage to their careers merely due to the suspicion of Communist affiliations. The entertainment industry, in particular, saw individuals facing professional ruin as they were blacklisted from working in Hollywood.
The impact of HUAC's investigations extended beyond the entertainment industry, shaping the broader socio-political landscape of the time. The committee's activities reflected the prevailing anti-communist sentiment during the Cold War era, with the fear of Communist infiltration leading to a climate of suspicion and the curtailment of civil liberties. The Hollywood blacklists and HUAC's investigations remain significant historical markers, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of political paranoia and the infringement on individual freedoms in the name of anti-communism.