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JoeMcCarthyandtheRedScare

"Wemustnotconfusedissentwithdisloyalty.Wemustrememberalwaysthataccusationisnotproofandthatconvictiondependsuponevidenceanddueprocessoflaw.Wewillnotwalkinfear,oneofanother.Wewillnotbedrivenbyfearintoanageofunreason,ifwedigdeepinourhistoryandourdoctrine,andrememberthatwearenotdescendedfromfearfulmen--notfrommenwhofearedtowrite,tospeak,toassociateandtodefendcausesthatwere,forthemoment,

unpopular."~EdwardR.Murrow

OverviewInthislesson,studentswillstudytheeffectsoftheactionsofJosephMcCarthyandtheRedScareonAmericanlifeinthe1950’s.Duringthewarmup,studentswillbesetuptoreplicatetheactionsofSenatorMcCarthybyaccusingparticularpeopleofbeingcommunist,withnoinformationotherthanapicture.StudentswillthenreceiveanoverviewoftheFirstRedScare,aswellasgainanunderstandingoftheforeignanddomesticreasonsfortheSecondRedScare,viaaninteractivePowerPointpresentation.ThelessonculminateswithstudentscreatingtelevisioncommercialsandcampaignposterssupportingoropposingthereelectionofSenatorJoeMcCarthy.Grade11NCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistoryII• AH2.H.1.2-UseHistoricalcomprehension…• AH2.H.1.3-Usehistoricalanalysisandinterpretation…• AH2.H.1.4-Usehistoricalresearch…• AH2.H.2.1-Analyzekeypolitical,economic,andsocialturningpointssincetheendofReconstructionin

termsofcausesandeffects(e.g.,conflicts,legislation,elections,innovations,leadership,movements,SupremeCourtdecisions,etc.).

• AH2.H.4.3-Analyzethesocialandreligiousconflicts,movementsandreformsthatimpactedtheUnitedStatessinceReconstructionintermsofparticipants,strategies,opposition,andresults(e.g.,Prohibition,SocialDarwinism,Eugenics,civilrights,anti-warprotest,etc.).

• AH2.H.5.1-Summarizehowthephilosophical,ideologicaland/orreligiousviewsonfreedomandequalitycontributedtothedevelopmentofAmericanpoliticalandeconomicsystemssinceReconstruction(e.g.,“separatebutequal”,SocialDarwinism,socialgospel,civilservicesystem,suffrage,HarlemRenaissance,theWarrenCourt,GreatSocietyprograms,AmericanIndianMovement,etc.).

• AH2.H.7.1-ExplaintheimpactofwarsonAmericanpoliticssinceReconstruction(e.g.,spheresofinfluence,isolationistpractices,containmentpolicies,firstandsecondRedScaremovements,patriotism,terroristpolicies,etc.).

• AH2.H.7.3-ExplaintheimpactofwarsonAmericansocietyandculturesinceReconstruction(e.g.,relocationofJapaneseAmericans,Americanpropaganda,firstandsecondRedScaremovement,McCarthyism,babyboom,CivilRightsMovement,protestmovements,ethnic,patriotism,etc.).

Materials• “Who’stheCommunist?”warm-upactivity(attached)• “JoeMcCarthyandtheRedScare”PowerPointavailableintheDatabaseofK-12Resources(inPDF

format)o ToviewthisPDFasaprojectablepresentation,savethefile,click“View”inthetopmenubarofthe

file,andselect“FullScreenMode”o TorequestaneditablePPTversionofthispresentation,sendarequesttoCarolinaK12@unc.edu

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• SpeechofJosephMcCarthy,Wheeling,WestVirginiaFebruary9,1950(attached)o Source:http://www.uoregon.edu/~eherman/teaching/texts/McCarthy_Wheeling_Speech.pdf

• JosephMcCarthytoPresidentHarryTruman,February11,1950o Source:http://www.uoregon.edu/~eherman/teaching/texts/McCarthy_Wheeling_Speech.pdf

• ChartPaper• “JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?”InstructionsHandoutandgradingrubric(attached)• “JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?”GroupHandouts(attached):

o RepublicanSeven(representedbySenatorMargaretChaseSmith)o ConcernedMediaMembers(representedbyEdwardR.Murrow)o HollywoodAgainstCommunists(HAC)(representedbyRonaldReagan)o SoldiersAgainstMcCarthy(representedbyJosephWelch)o CampaignfortheReelectionofSenatorJoeMcCarthy(representedbyJoeMcCarthy)

• “JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?”NotesSheet(attached)• Pens,pencils,markers,crayons• Additionalresearchmaterials–magazines,books,laptopsw/internetaccess,worksheets,etc.(not

provided)EssentialQuestions:• WhatwastheRedScare?• WhoisJosephMcCarthyandinwhatwaysdidheimpactthesocietyinwhichhelived?Whatimpactdid

hehaveonAmericanHistory?• InwhatwaysdidJosephMcCarthyviolateAmericanvaluesinhissearchforcommunists?• WhatisMcCarthyism?WhataresomeexamplesofMcCarthyism?Duration90-120minutes(canbesplitovertwoclassperiods)StudentPreparation• Studentsshouldhaveabasicunderstandingoftheeventsfrom1945-1950thatledtotheColdWar(i.e.

theKoreanWar,thefallofChina,etc.).• Forhomeworkthenightbefore,havestudentsreviewtheFirstRedScareviaatextbookorInternet

reading.TeacherPreparation• Toprovidestudentswithadditionalresearchmaterials,contacttheschool’sMediaCenterandreserve

materialsconcerningMcCarthyismand/ortheRedScare.• Laptopsand/ortimeinthecomputerlabarenotnecessarytocompletethisproject,buttheymaybeused

foradditionalresearch.Procedure

WarmUp:Who’stheCommunist?1. Distributetheattached“Who’stheCommunist?”photoarray.Instructstudentstopairupandtakeafew

minutestoexaminethepicturesandinformationprovided.Whentheyhavefinished,tellthemtochoosewhichpersontheythinkisacommunist.Theymustdefendtheirchoicebecausewhoevertheypickcouldlosetheirjoband/orfacejailtime.

2. Aftertheallottedtime,chooseafewstudentstosharetheirconclusionofwhichpersonisacommunist

andtodefendtheirchoice.Allowstudentstoquestionandchallengeoneanother’schoices.(Themorestudentscancombatoneanotheronwhotheactualcommunistisandwhy,thebetter.)Asdiscussionanddebatereachaclimax,tellthestudentsthatinactuality,noneofthosepicturedwerecommunists,but

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theywereallcontroversialfigures.Sharetheactualbackgroundinformationregardingthesepeoplewithstudents(seetheattachedfactsheet.)Furtherdiscuss:• First,howmanyofyouknowwhatacommunistis?(Encouragestudentstosharetheirthoughts,

correctinganymisinformation,andprovideareviewofcommunism.)• Whydidyouassumethatanyofthesepeoplewereacommunist?• Whydidyouevencompletethisactivity?Whydidn’tanyofyouchallengemeandsaythatitwasn’t

possibletoknowwhichofthesepeoplewerecommunistbasedonlyonalittlebitofinformationandtheirpictures?(Discussstudentfearsofpossibleconsequencessuchasgettingintotroubleorreceivingazero.Alsodiscusstheconceptofapathy–perhapsitwasjusteasytodowhatwasexpectedandfollowinstructionsratherthanquestionauthority.)

• Whatmadeyouchoosetheparticularpersonyouaccused?(Whileitistruethatstudentsweresetuptoaccuseoneofthepeopleofbeingacommunistbasedontheinstructionsgiven,usethisasanopportunitytodiscussstereotyping,makinggeneralizationsandassumptions,challengingauthorityversusfollowingauthority/goingwiththeflow,etc.)

• Inwhatreallifescenariosdopeopleactuallydowhatyoujustdidinthatactivity–makeassumptionsbasedonappearances,orwithoutenoughinformation?(Encouragestudentstonoteexamplesfromtheirschool/community–i.e.gossip,rumors,etc.–andalsoexamplesthroughouthistory.)

IntroductiontotheRedScare

3. Tofurthertheconversation,projectslide2ofthe“McCarthyandtheColdWar”PowerPoint,whichfeaturesthepoliticalcartoon“Fire!”byfamouspoliticalcartoonistHerbBlock.Instructstudentstosilentlyexaminethecartoonandthendiscuss:• Whatdoyousee?Whatdidyoufirstnotice?• Whatsymbolsareusedinthecartoon?• Whatissuedoyouthinkthispoliticalcartoonaddressing?Whatevidencemakesyouthinkthis?• Whatmessageisthecartoonisttryingtoconvey?• Whendoyouthinkthiscartoonwasdrawnandwhy?• Doesthemessagestillapplytoday?Canyougivesomeexamples?

4. Posethefollowingquestiontotheclassbeforemovingontothenextslide:

• Howarethe“FindtheCommunistActivity”andthecartoonrelated?

5. Movetoslide3andexplaintostudentsthatjustastheyaccusedthepeopleontheirhandoutofbeingcommunists,withoutanyrealreasonorevidenceandonlybecausetheyweretoldtodoso,sodidourgovernmentduringaperiodofrecenthistorycalledtheRedScare.Selectonestudenttoreadthefollowinginformationaloud:

“IntheaftermathofWorldWarII,AmericansreactedwithdismayasrelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSovietUniondeteriorated,theRussiansimposedcommunistcontrolovermuchofEasternEurope,andChinawasonthevergeofgoingcommunist.Peopleworriedthatcommunistsmighttrytosubvertschools,laborunions,andotherinstitutions.Governmentagenciesandprivategroupsbegantolookforevidenceofsubversiveactivity.Inthisclimateoffearandsuspicion,theHouseCommitteeonUn-AmericanActivities,whichHerbBlockhadopposedsinceitsinceptioninthe1930s,becameactive.HerbBlockrecognizedthedangertocivillibertiesposedbysuchactivitiesandwarnedoftheminhiswork.”(Source:http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/herblock/fire.html)

6. Informstudentsthattheywillbelearningaboutotherpeoplewhowereaffectedby,protestedagainst,orwereinsomewayinvolvedintheRedScare.Thepowerpointshouldserveasasourceofbasicinformationandacatalystfordiscussion.(Dependingonstudents’familiaritywiththistimeperiod,teachersmayalsoneedtoassignsupplementalreadingsfromthetextbookorInternettoensurestudentunderstanding.)

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WhatwastheRedScare?

7. Moveontoslide4andaskstudentvolunteerstodescribewhattheyalreadyknowabouteachoftheeventslistedasareviewofthe“FirstRedScare.”Fillinimportantdetailsthatstudentsleaveoutandcorrectanymisinformation.• RussianRevolution:AseriesofrevolutionsinRussiathatdestroyedthemonarchyandreplaceditwith

acommunistgovernment.• Comintern:CommunistInternational,anorganizationcreatedbytheSovietUnionwiththeexpressed

purposeofexportingthecommunistideologyandrevolutiontotheworld.• LaborUnrest/Strikes:Post-wareconomicproblemsledsomeunionstostrikeforbetterwagesand

benefits.SomeAmericansfeltthattheunrestwasinspiredbythecommunistrevolutionbecausesomeoftherhetoricusedbystrikeleaderssoundedsimilartocommunistrhetoric.

• ThePalmerRaids:Aseriesofraidsagainstsuspected“radicals”ledbyAttorneyGeneralMitchellPalmer.Thousandsofpeoplewerearrestedwithoutchargesandhundredsofpeopleweredeported.Palmerwaseventuallydiscreditedwhenaseriesofpredictionsturnedouttobefalse.ThisledtotheendoftheFirstRedScare.

• Anti-ImmigrantFeelings:Duringtheearly20thcenturyalargeinfluxofimmigrantswerearrivingfromSouthernandEasternEurope,China,andJapan.ManyAmericansviewedthesenewimmigrantswithsuspicionbecauseofculturaldifferencesandfearsoflosingpoliticalandeconomicpower.Mostoftheseimmigrantsworkedasunskilledlaborersinfactories.Sometriedtoorganizeunionstopushforbetterworkingconditions,whichsomeAmericanssawasasignofcommunistleanings.

Beforemovingontoslide5,askstudentstopredictwhateventstheythinkwouldleadtoa“SecondRedScare.”

8. Slides5through15dealwiththemajorevents–foreignanddomestic-thatcontributedtotheSecondRed

Scare.Usethefollowingdiscussionquestionstoengagestudentsasyougothroughtheinformation:• Slide5–Whatappearstobehappeningintheposter?Whodoyouthinkcreatedthisposterandfor

whatpurpose?HowmightpropagandamaterialslikethishaveaffectAmericans?• Slide6-WhywouldtheseeventsinfluenceAmerican’sathome?• Slide8–WhatdoyouthinkHerbBlock’scartoonissayingabouttheHUACandtheirmethods?Doyou

thinkitisokaytoviolatepeople’sconstitutionalrightstoprotectAmericancitizensfromapotentialorrealthreat?Whatmightbedangerousaboutthegovernmentinvestigatingnewspapers?

• Slide9–Whatdoyouthinkconstitutes“association”withaparticulargroup?HowdoyoudetermineifagroupissubversivetowardstheUSgovernment?

• Slide10–Imaginebeingunabletogetajobbasedonarumoraboutyou.Howwouldthismakeyoufeel?Thinkaboutyourfavoriteactors,musicians,etc.today.Areanyofthemcontroversialinanyway?Howwouldyoufeelifthegovernmentprohibitedthemfromcreatingtheirmusicormoviesbecauseitdisagreedwiththeirviews?(StudentswilllearnmoreabouttheHollywoodBlackListintheculminatingactivity.)

• Slide11–InformstudentsthatHisswasnotconvictedofespionagebecausethestatuteoflimitationshadrunout.RichardNixonmadehimselfahouseholdnameasamemberoftheHUACinvestigatingtheHisscase.HehadpressedtheinvestigationagainstHissandwasvindicatedbytheperjuryconviction.ThishelpedhimearntheRepublicanVPnominationin1952.

• Slide12–HowdoyouthinkAmericansreactedtotheHissandtheRosenbergcases?DidtheyhelpquellorfueltheRedScare?

AfterthefalloftheUSSR,declassifieddocumentsfromtheVenonaProject–acodebreakingproject--werereleased.TheyprovidedevidenceoftheRosenberg’sguiltandstrongevidencesuggestingHisswasreallyaSovietspy.Thereisstillsomedoubt,butamajorityofscholarsnowbelievethatbothpartieswereguilty.

• Slide13–HowdoyouthinkthepreviouslydiscussedeventsleadtoMcCarthy’srisetopower?

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McCarthyismandtheRedScare9. Movetoslide14ofthepowerpointandreadtheinstructionsforthenextactivityaloud:

Inyourgroup,defineMcCarthyism.YouhaveapproximatelythirtyminutestoreadaloudthetwoMcCarthydocumentsandanswerthequestionsprovidedasagroup.Afterreadingthespeechesandansweringthequestions,hasyourdefinitionofMcCarthyismchanged?Ifso,how?WriteyourfinaldefinitionofMcCarthyismonapieceofchartpaperandpostitintheroom.

10. Dividestudentsintosmallgroupsof3–5andprovideeachgroupwiththetwoattacheddocumentsrelatingtoJosephMcCarthy–“SpeechofJosephMcCarthy,Wheeling,WestVirginia,February9,1950”and“TelegramfromJosephMcCarthytoPresidentHarryTruman,February11,1950”.Instructthegroupstoreadthedocumentsaloudandthenanswerthequestionsprovidedasagrouponaseparatesheetofpaper.Encourageeverystudenttoreadaparagraphofthespeechoutloud,ratherthanonestudentdoingallofthereading.Allowthegroupstwentytothirtyminutestocompletetheirreadingsandquestions.Projectatimer(availableathttp://www.online-stopwatch.com/)toalertstudentstothetimeremaining.

11. Oncetimehasexpired,allowstudentstosharetheirvariousdefinitionsof“McCarthyism,”notingany

similaritiesordifferencesintheirfinaldefinitions.Askgroupstodiscusshowtheirdefinitionschangedaftercompletingtheirreadingsanddiscussion.Alsoreviewanddiscussthequestionsandreadingswiththeclass.InformstudentsthatthenumberofcommunistsintheStateDepartmentthatMcCarthycitedwasconstantlychangingandthatheneverdidproducethelisttothepublicdomain.

12. Explaintostudentsthattheterm“McCarthyism”,wascoinedbythecartoonistHerbBlock.Movetoslide15anddiscuss:• Whatdoyousee?Whatfirststrikesyouaboutthiscartoon?• Whatsymbolsarebeingused?• Whatdoestheplatformsay?• Whatdoestheelephantsymbolize?• Whydoesn’ttheelephantwanttogetontheplatform?• WhatisHerbBlocksayingabout“McCarthyism”?

13. Sharewithstudentsthe“accepted”definitionofMcCarthyism:• amid-20thcenturypoliticalattitudecharacterizedchieflybyoppositiontoelementsheldtobe

subversiveandbytheuseoftacticsinvolvingpersonalattacksonindividualsbymeansofwidelypublicizedindiscriminateallegationsespeciallyonthebasisofunsubstantiatedcharges;broadly:defamationofcharacterorreputationthroughsuchtactics.(Source:MerriamWebsterDictionary)

Discuss:• HowdoHerbBlock’scartoonandthedocumentsyouread,relatetothedefinitionofMcCarthyism?

JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?

14. Instructstudentstoremainintheirgroupsforthenextactivityandexplainthattheyaregoingtobetransportedbacktothe1950’stothetimeoftheRedScare.SenatorJosephMcCarthyisrunningforreelectionin1954andtheyareresponsibleforcreatingapro-oranti-McCarthytelevisioncommercialandanewspaperadvertisement.Eachgroupwillbeassignedadifferentpersonorspecialinterestgroupinthe

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electiononwhoseideals/opinionstheywillbasetheiradvertisements.Studentsshouldconductadditionalresearchusingcomputers,theirtextbooks,and/oradditionalbooksprovidedbytheteacher.

15. Distributetheattachedinstructionhandoutsforthefollowingpeopleorspecialinterests:

• RepublicanSeven(representedbySenatorMargaretChaseSmith)• ConcernedMediaMembers(representedbyEdwardR.Murrow)• HollywoodAgainstCommunists(HAC)(representedbyRonaldReagan)• SoldiersAgainstMcCarthy(representedbyJosephWelch)• CampaignfortheReelectionofSenatorJoeMcCarthy(representedbyJoeMcCarthy)Besuretonotethatthegroupsarefictitious,butthepeoplerepresentingthegroupsarereal.Althougheachofthegroupsrepresentsadifferentperspective,theoveralldirectionsfortheprojectarethesameforeachgroup.Reviewtheinstructionsandthenallowstudentstoworkindependently.

Ø OptionalActivity:Togivestudentsanideaofvariouscampaigncommercials,visit

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/foracollectionofcampaignadsfrom1952–2008.

16. Allowstudentstoworkontheircampaignsfortheremainderoftheclass.Remindthemthattheywillbeperformingtheircommercialsatthestartofclasstomorrow.

Day217. Foregoawarmupactivityandallowthegroupstomeetforfiveminutestofinalizetheirtelevision

commercialsandtohangtheirpostersatthefrontoftheroom.

18. Beforestudentsbegin,distributetheattached“JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?NotesSheet”.Reviewaudienceexpectationsbeforeallowinggroupstopresentandinstructstudentstorecordnoteswhilegroupsarepresenting.Theteachershouldkeeptimeforeachpresentationorcanelectastudenttodoso.

19. Aftereachgrouphaspresented,allowtheaudiencetimetoaskquestionsabouttheircommercial.You

canincludealistofsamplequestionsontheboardifnecessary.• WhatdidyoulearnaboutJosephMcCarthy?• Doyouagreewithhistactics?• Whydoyouthinkheissuchacontroversialfigure?

20. Onceallthegroupshavepresentedanddiscussed,leadagallerywalkofthepostersandthenallowthe

classtovoteonwhichonetheythinkwouldbethemostappealingtovoters.21. Debriefstudentsbydiscussingthefollowingquestions:

• WhatAmericanidealsandvaluesdoyouholddear(i.e.,freespeech,righttoafairtrial,righttonotincriminateoneself,righttofaceaccusers,etc.)?(Notestudentresponsesontheboard.).

• InwhatwaysweretheseidealsandvalueschallengedduringtheRedScare,byMcCarthy,andbytheHouseofUn-Americanactivities?

• Ultimately,whatcausedtheRedScare?Whatthemesandemotionswereatplayduringthisperiodofhistory?

• WhoistoblamefortheRedScare?(Ensurestudentsnotonlydiscusstheobviousculprits,suchasSenatorMcCarthyandothergovernmentofficialswhoallowedhimtocarryon,butalsotheaverageAmerican.)

• Ifyoufeelyourgovernmentofficialsarenotbehavingjustlyorresponsibly,whatshouldyoudo?• WhydoyouthinkMcCarthychosethegroupshechosetogoafter?• WhydoyouthinkJoeMcCarthyhadsuchasignificantimpactonAmericanhistory?

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• DoyouseesimilartacticsasthoseusedbyMcCarthyusedbygovernmentofficialsorothergroupstoday?Explain.Doyoueverseesuchtacticsusedinyourowncommunityorschool?

• ArethereotherexamplesofeventssimilartotheRedScarethathaveoccurredthroughouthistory?• Whatcanwedotoensurehistorydoesnotrepeatitself,andthatinnocentpeoplearenotjailedor

persecutedfortheirpersonalbeliefs?AdditionalActivities• HavestudentsresearchargumentsdefendingMcCarthyandthenwriteashortessayaboutwhetherornot

theportrayalofMcCarthythroughouthistoryisfair.• HavestudentssearchforMcCarthystyleattacksonpublicfiguresinnewspapersandmagazines.Resources• HistoryMattersPrimarySources(search“McCarthy”fordocuments):http://historymatters.gmu.edu• McCarthyismPrimarySources:http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-039/• EdwardR.Murrow–SeeItNow(March9,1954)VideoClip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anNEJJYLU8M&feature=related• “HeMayBeaCommunist”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeZ5SKXvj8&feature=related

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Who’stheCommunist?

• Parentswereimmigrants• Responsibleforthe“loss”ofChinatoCommunism• Criticssaidhewas“softoncommunism”

• InvestigatedtheWarDepartmentduringWorldWarII• Nicknamed“MoscowMaggie”• Shestatedthebasicprinciplesof"Americanism"were:

o Therighttocriticize;o Therighttoholdunpopularbeliefs;o Therighttoprotest;o Therightofindependentthought.

• LivedabroadduringWorldWarII• Constantlyclashedwithhisbosses• CriticizedUSgovernmentofficials

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• ParentswereItalianimmigrantsandwereclassifiedas“enemyaliens”duringWWII• GrewupinSanFrancisco• Oneofhiswivesdivorcedhimforinflicting“mentalcruelty“.

• Endorsedlegalizationofmedicalmarijuana• Saidthathewouldfightreligiousorganizations,“everystepoftheway.”• Hadtiestomafiaconvicts

• BornintheUSbutspentmostofhislifeabroadinFrance,Switzerland,andTurkey.• Politicalactivist• ControversialWriter

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WHO’STHECOMMUNIST?FactsRegardingthePeoplePictured

SECRETARYOFSTATEDEANACHESON• Parentswereimmigrants(FROMCANADA).• Responsibleforthe“loss”ofChinatoCommunism(CRITICSFELTTHATHIS“CONTAINMENT”POLICYWASTOOSOFTON

COMMUNISMANDHELPEDLEADTOACOMMUNISTVICTORYINCHINA)• Criticssaidhewas“softoncommunism”(THISISTRUE)SENATORMARGARETCHASESMITH• InvestigatedtheWarDepartmentduringWorldWarII(INVESTIGATEDWHERETHEYWOULDPUTNEWUSMILITARYBASESINTHE

US)• Nicknamed“MoscowMaggie”(SHEOPPOSEDCERTAINTACTICSTOROOTOUTCOMMUNISTSINGOVERNMENT;SUPPORTERSOF

THESETACTICSSAIDSHEWAS“SOFTONCOMMUNISM”ANDGAVEHERTHATNICKNAME.)• Shestatedthebasicprinciplesof"Americanism"were:

o Therighttocriticize;o Therighttoholdunpopularbeliefs;o Therighttoprotest;o Therightofindependentthought.

(THESEAREFROMASPEECHSHEGAVE–DeclarationofConscience-DENOUNCINGSCARETACTICSTOROOTOUTCOMMUNISTS)JOURNALISTEDWARDR.MURROW• LivedabroadduringWorldWarII(TOREPORTONWAR)• Constantlyclashedwithhisbosses(OVERCONTENTSHOWNONNEWSPROGRAMTHATUPSETHISBOSSES)• CriticizedUSgovernmentofficials(PARTOFAJOURNALIST’SJOB.FAMOUSFORHISCLASHESWITHSEN.JOEMCCARTHY)

BASEBALLPLAYERJOEDIMAGGIO• ParentswereItalianimmigrantsandwereclassifiedas“enemyaliens”duringWWII(ASWEREMANYITALIANIMMIGRANTS

REGARDLESSOFANYWRONGDOING.THEYBECAMEUSCITIZENSAFTERWWII.)• GrewupinSanFrancisco• Oneofhiswivesdivorcedhimforinflicting“mentalcruelty.”(MARILYNMONROE)SENATORBARRYGOLDWATER• Endorsedlegalizationofmedicalmarijuana(TRUE)• Saidthathewouldfightreligiousorganizations,“everystepoftheway.”(THISWASINRESPONSETORELIGIOUSORGANIZATIONS

THREATENINGTOVOTEHIMOUTIFTHEYDIDN’TVOTEACCORDINGTOTHEIRBELIEFS)• Hadtiestomafiaconvicts(KNOWNTOASSOCIATEWITHRACKETEERS,BUTTOWHATEXTENTISUNKNOWN.)WRITERANDACTIVISTJAMESBALDWIN

• BornintheUSbutspentmostofhislifeabroadinFrance,Switzerland,andTurkey.(TRUE,LEFTTHEUSTOESCAPEPERSECUTION)

• Politicalactivist(CIVILRIGHTSACTIVIST)• ControversialWriter(TRUE)

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SpeechofJosephMcCarthyWheeling.WestVirginia

February9,1950

Ladiesandgentlemen,tonightaswecelebratetheonehundredforty-firstbirthdayofoneofthegreatestmeninAmericanhistory,Iwouldliketobeabletotalkaboutwhatagloriousdaytodayisinthehistoryoftheworld.Aswecelebratethebirthofthismanwhowithhiswholeheartandsoulhatedwar,Iwouldliketobeabletospeakofpeaceinourtime—ofwarbeingoutlawed—andofworld-widedisarmament.ThesewouldbetrulyappropriatethingstobeabletomentionaswecelebratethebirthdayofAbrahamLincoln.

Fiveyearsafteraworldwarhasbeenwon,men’sheartsshouldanticipatealongpeace—andmen’smindsshouldbefreefromtheheavyweightthatcomeswithwar.Butthisisnotsuchaperiod—forthisisnotaperiodofpeace.Thisisatimeof“thecoldwar.”Thisisatimewhenalltheworldissplitintotwovast,increasinglyhostilearmedcamps—atimeofagreatarmamentrace.

Todaywecanalmostphysicallyhearthemutteringsandrumblingsofaninvigoratedgodofwar.Youcanseeit,feelit,andhearitallthewayfromtheIndochinahills,fromtheshoresofFormosa,rightoverintotheveryheartofEuropeitself.

Theoneencouragingthingisthatthe“madmoment”hasnotyetarrivedforthefiringofthegunortheexplodingofthebombwhichwillsetcivilizationaboutthefinaltaskofdestroyingitself.Thereisstillahopeforpeaceifwefinallydecidethatnolongercanwesafelyblindoureyesandcloseourearstothosefactswhichareshapingupmoreandmoreclearly...andthatisthatwearenowengagedinashow-downfight...nottheusualwarbetweennationsforlandareasorothermaterialgains,butawarbetweentwodiametricallyopposedideologies.

ThegreatdifferencebetweenourwesternChristianworldandtheatheisticCommunistworldisnotpolitical,gentlemen,itismoral.Forinstance,theMarxianideaofconfiscatingthelandandfactoriesandrunningtheentireeconomyasasingleenterpriseismomentous.Likewise,Lenin’sinventionoftheone-partypolicestateasawaytomakeMarx’sideaworkishardlylessmomentous.

Stalin’sresoluteputtingacrossofthesetwoideas,ofcourse,didmuchtodividetheworld.Withonlythesedifferences,however,theeastandthewestcouldmostcertainlystillliveinpeace.

Thereal,basicdifference,however,liesinthereligionofimmoralism...inventedbyMarx,preachedfeverishlybyLenin,andcarriedtounimaginableextremesbyStalin.Thisreligionofimmoralism,iftheRedhalfoftheworldtriumphs—andwellitmay,gentlemen—thisreligionofimmoralismwillmoredeeplywoundanddamagemankindthananyconceivableeconomicorpoliticalsystem.

KarlMarxdismissedGodasahoax,andLeninandStalinhaveaddedinclear-cut,unmistakablelanguagetheirresolvethatnonation,nopeoplewhobelieveinagod,canexistsidebysidewiththeircommunisticstate.

KarlMarx,forexample,expelledpeoplefromhisCommunistPartyformentioningsuchthingsaslove,justice,humanityormorality.Hecalledthis“soulfulravings”and“sloppysentimentality.”...

Todayweareengagedinafinal,all-outbattlebetweencommunisticatheismandChristianity.Themodernchampionsofcommunismhaveselectedthisasthetime,andladiesandgentlemen,thechipsaredown—theyaretrulydown.

Lesttherebeanydoubtthatthetimehasbeenchosen,letusgodirectlytotheleaderofcommunismtoday—JosephStalin.Hereiswhathesaid—notbackin1928,notbeforethewar,notduringthewar—but2yearsafterthelastwarwasended:“TothinkthattheCommunistrevolutioncanbecarriedoutpeacefully,within

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theframeworkofaChristiandemocracy,meansonehaseithergoneoutofone’smindandlostallnormalunderstanding,orhasgrosslyandopenlyrepudiatedtheCommunistrevolution.”...

Ladiesandgentlemen,cantherebeanyonetonightwhoissoblindastosaythatthewarisnoton?CantherebyanyonewhofailstorealizethattheCommunistworldhassaidthetimeisnow?...thatthisisthetimefortheshow-downbetweenthedemocraticChristianworldandthecommunisticatheisticworld?

Unlesswefacethisfact,weshallpaythepricethatmustbepaidbythosewhowaittoolong.

Sixyearsago,...therewaswithintheSovietorbit,180,000,000people.Linedupontheantitotalitariansidetherewereintheworldatthattime,roughly1,625,000,000people.Today,onlysixyearslater,thereare800,000,000peopleundertheabsolutedominationofSovietRussia—anincreaseofover400percent.Onourside,thefigurehasshrunktoaround500,000,000.Inotherwords,inlessthansixyears,theoddshavechangedfrom9to1inourfavorto8to5againstus.

ThisindicatestheswiftnessofthetempoofCommunistvictoriesandAmericandefeatsinthecoldwar.Asoneofouroutstandinghistoricalfiguresoncesaid,“Whenagreatdemocracyisdestroyed,itwillnotbefromenemiesfromwithout,butratherbecauseofenemiesfromwithin.”...

Thereasonwhywefindourselvesinapositionofimpotencyisnotbecauseouronlypowerfulpotentialenemyhassentmentoinvadeourshores...butratherbecauseofthetraitorousactionsofthosewhohavebeentreatedsowellbythisNation.Ithasnotbeenthelessfortunate,ormembersofminoritygroupswhohavebeentraitoroustothisNation,butratherthosewhohavehadallthebenefitsthatthewealthiestNationonearthhashadtooffer...thefinesthomes,thefinestcollegeeducationandthefinestjobsingovernmentwecangive.

ThisisglaringlytrueintheStateDepartment.Therethebrightyoungmenwhoarebornwithsilverspoonsintheirmouthsaretheoneswhohavebeenmosttraitorous....

Ihavehereinmyhandalistof205...alistofnamesthatweremadeknowntotheSecretaryofStateasbeingmembersoftheCommunistPartyandwhoneverthelessarestillworkingandshapingpolicyintheStateDepartment....

Asyouknow,veryrecentlytheSecretaryofStateproclaimedhisloyaltytoamanguiltyofwhathasalwaysbeenconsideredasthemostabominableofallcrimes—beingatraitortothepeoplewhogavehimapositionofgreattrust—hightreason....

Hehaslightedthesparkwhichisresultinginamoraluprisingandwillendonlywhenthewholesorrymessoftwisted,warpedthinkersaresweptfromthenationalscenesothatwemayhaveanewbirthofhonestyanddecencyingovernment.

Answerthefollowingquestionsasagrouponaseparatesheetofpaper:

1. Howisthiswar“…nottheusualwar,”accordingtoMcCarthy?2. WhydoyouthinkMcCarthymentionsreligion–“westernChristianworldandtheatheisticCommunistworld”–inhis

speech?DoyouagreethattheColdWarwasa“moralwar,”nota“politicalwar”asMcCarthyclaims?3. WhatdoyouthinkMcCarthyisimplyingwhenhesays“nonation,nopeoplewhobelieveinagod,canexistsideby

sidewiththeircommunisticstate”?4. WhatproofdoesMcCarthygivethatCommunismisaseriousthreat?5. DespitethethreatposedbytheUSSR,whoshouldAmerican’sreallyfearaccordingtoMcCarthy?Why?6. HowdoesMcCarthydescribethe“traitors”?WherearetheylocatedwithintheUnitedStatesGovernment?7. WhatproofdoesMcCarthyoffertobackuphisclaimsofcommunistsintheUSGovernment?8. WhodoyouthinkMcCarthyisreferringtowhenhesays,“theSecretaryofStateproclaimedhisloyaltytoaman

guiltyofwhathasalwaysbeenconsideredasthemostabominableofallcrimes[…]hightreason…”?9. Howdoyouthinkcommunistsingovernmentwillbeexposed?

13

TelegramfromJosephMcCarthytoPresidentHarryTruman,February11,1950

IntheLincolnDayspeechatWheelingThursdaynightIstatedthattheStateDepartmentharborsanestofCommunistsandCommunistsympathizerswhoarehelpingtoshapeourforeignpolicy.IfurtherstatedthatIhaveinmypossessionthenamesof57CommunistswhoareintheStateDepartmentatpresent.AStateDepartmentspokesmanpromptlydeniedthis,claimingthatthereisnotasingleCommunistintheDepartment.YoucanconvinceyourselfofthefalsityoftheStateDepartmentclaimveryeasily.YouwillrecallthatyoupersonallyappointedaboardtoscreenStateDepartmentemployeesforthepurposeofweedingoutfellowtravelers—menwhomtheboardconsidereddangeroustothesecurityofthisNation.Yourboarddidapainstakingjob,andnamedhundredswhichhadbeenlistedasdangeroustothesecurityoftheNation,becauseofcommunisticconnections.

Whiletherecordsarenotavailabletome,Iknowabsolutelyofonegroupofapproximately300certifiedtotheSecretaryfordischargebecauseofcommunism.Heactuallyonlydischargedapproximately80.Iunderstandthatthiswasdoneafterlengthyconsultationwiththenow-convictedtraitor,AlgerHiss.Iwouldsuggest,therefore,Mr.President,thatyousimplypickupyourphoneandaskMr.AchesonhowmanyofthosewhomyourboardhadlabeledasdangerousCommunistshefailedtodischarge.ThedaytheHouseUn-AmericanActivitiesCommitteeexposedAlgerHissasanimportantlinkinaninternationalCommunistspyringyousignedanorderforbiddingtheStateDepartment’sgivinganyinformationinregardtothedisloyaltyorthecommunisticconnectionsofanyoneinthatDepartmenttotheCongress.

DespitethisStateDepartmentblack-out,wehavebeenabletocompilealistof57CommunistsintheStateDepartment.ThislistisavailabletoyoubutyoucangetamuchlongerlistbyorderingSecretaryAchesontogiveyoualistofthosewhomyourownboardlistedasbeingdisloyalandwhoarestillworkingintheStateDepartment.Ibelievethefollowingistheminimumwhichcanbeexpectedofyouinthiscase.

1.ThatyoudemandthatAchesongiveyouandthepropercongressionalcommitteethenamesandacompletereportonallofthosewhowereplacedintheDepartmentbyAlgerHiss,andallofthosestillworkingintheStateDepartmentwhowerelistedbyyourboardasbadsecurityrisksbecauseoftheircommunisticconnections.

2.ThatyoupromptlyrevoketheorderinwhichyouprovidedundernocircumstancescouldacongressionalcommitteeobtainanyinformationorhelpinexposingCommunists.

FailureonyourpartwilllabeltheDemocraticPartyofbeingthebedfellowofinternationalcommunism.CertainlythislabelisnotdeservedbythehundredsofthousandsofloyalAmericanDemocratsthroughouttheNation,andbythesizablenumberofableloyalDemocratsinboththeSenateandtheHouse.

Source:U.S.Senate,StateDepartmentLoyaltyInvestigationCommitteeonForeignRelations,81stCongress;JosephMcCarthytoPresidentHarryTrumanFebruary11,1950,CongressionalRecord,81stCongress

Answerthefollowingquestionsonaseparatesheetofpaper:1. WhataresomedifferencesbetweenMcCarthy’s“WestVirginiaSpeech”andhis“lettertoPresidentTruman”?What

aresomesimilarities?2. WhatevidenceofTruman’sownactionsdoesMcCarthypresenttoTrumanthattheStateDepartmentmusthave

communists?3. HowdoyouthinkMcCarthyknowsthattherearecommunistsintheStateDepartmentifhedoesn’thaveaccessto

therecords?4. DoyoubelieveMcCarthy’stwodemandsarereasonable?5. Whatmightbeaproblemwithhisrequests?6. WhatdoesMcCarthyimplyinthelastparagraph?Whatisdangerousaboutthattypeofrhetoric?

14

Name_______________________________

JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?You’repartofaspecialinterestgroupthateithersupportsoropposesthe1954reelectionofSenatorJosephMcCarthy.Usingtheinformationprovidedinclassandinformationyou’veobtainedthroughadditionalresearch,itisyourjobtoconvincethevotersofWisconsintoeitherreelectordefeatSenatorMcCarthythroughatelevisioncommercial.Inaddition,youmustcreateapostersupportingyourviewsthatwillruninnewspapersacrossthestate.

StepsforCompletion1. ROLES:Eachpersonshouldassumeagrouproll.(Notethatallgroupmembersshouldstillparticipatein

eachstep,whetheryouareinchargeofthatstepornot.)• ArtisticDirector–Keepsthegroupontaskthroughouttheentireprocessandensureseveryoneis

contributingtoallaspectsoftheassignment;ensuresallrequirementsforboththecommercialandposteraremet;managesthetime;communicateswithteacherwhennecessary;makessurethatallgroupmembersparticipateinthefinalcommercial,whichshouldbepracticedfromstarttofinishatleasttwicebeforethefinalperformance

• Researcher–Leadsthegroupthroughoutresearchingadditionalinformationforthecommercialandposter;ensureseachstudentstaysontrackwhileresearchingandthateachstudentkeepstrackofsources;researchercancontinuetoresearchifneededwhiletherestofthegroupbeginsbrainstormingthecommercial;responsibleforprovidingafinallistofsourcestotheteacher

• ScreenWriter–Leadsthegroupthroughbrainstorming,drafting,andfinalizingascriptforthecampaigncommercial;responsibleforwritingoutandturninginthefinalscript.

• Artist–Leadsthegroupthroughbrainstorming,drafting,andfinalizingacampaignposter;responsibleforprovidingthefinalpostertotheteacher

2. RESEARCH:UnderthedirectionoftheResearcher,allgroupmembersshouldbeginbyconducting

additionalresearchonMcCarthyandyourassignedgroup’sidealsandviewsregardingMcCarthy.

3. BRAINSTORMandCREATEaTVADVERTISEMENT:Asyourresearchcomestoaclose,thescreenwriterwillleadthegroupinbeginningtothinkaboutideasforyourcommercial,basedonwhatyounowknowaboutyourspecialinterestgroup,theirviewsonMcCarthy,andMcCarthyhimself.NotethefollowingTelevisionAdvertisementRequirements:• Theadmustbebetweenoneandtwominutes.• Youradshouldintroducethespokespersonofthegroup.(e.g.“I’mJosephMcCarthy,Republican

SenatorfromWisconsin).• Youradshouldinclude3specificreasonstosupportoroppose(dependingonwhoyourassigned

specialinterestgroupis)McCarthy’sreelection.Includesources,forexample,“AccordingtotheNewYorkTimes,JosephMcCarthydidthisandthat...”(Asnotedabove,yourgroupmustuseyouradditionalresearchandcannotrelysoleyonyourhandoutforinformation.Remembertociteyoursources.)

• Makesureyouraddanswersthequestion,“WhatAmericanvaluesarebeingdestroyed/defendedbyJosephMcCarthy?”

• Theadshouldbeactedoutinfrontoftheclasswitheveryoneinthegroupparticipating.• Additionalcreditwillbeawardedforthegroupsthatcreateprops,scenery,costumes,etc.

4. BRAINSTORMandCREATEaPOSTER:Inadditiontoyourtelevisionad,theArtistwillalsoleadyourgroup

throughbrainstorminganddesigningacomplementaryposteradvertisement.NotethefollowingPosterAdvertisementRequirements:• Postershouldbecolorfulandeyecatching.• ShouldillustrateoneortworeasonstosupportoropposeMcCarthy’sreelection.• Finalpostershouldincludetextandartwork.• Answersthequestion,“WhatAmericanvaluesarebeingdestroyed/defendedbyJosephMcCarthy?”

15

OptionalRubricsforGrading

POSTERRUBRIC

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1Graphics-Originality Severalofthe

graphicsusedontheposterreflectaexceptionaldegreeofstudentcreativityintheircreationand/ordisplay.

Oneortwoofthegraphicsusedontheposterreflectstudentcreativityintheircreationand/ordisplay.

Thegraphicsaremadebythestudent,butarebasedonthedesignsorideasofothers.

Nographicsmadebythestudentareincluded.

RequiredElements Theposterincludesallrequiredelementsaswellasadditionalinformation.

Allrequiredelementsareincludedontheposter.

Allbut1oftherequiredelementsareincludedontheposter.

Severalrequiredelementsweremissing.

Content-Accuracy Atleast7accuratefactsaredisplayedontheposter.

5-6accuratefactsaredisplayedontheposter.

3-4accuratefactsaredisplayedontheposter.

Lessthan3accuratefactsaredisplayedontheposter.

Mechanics Capitalizationandpunctuationarecorrectthroughouttheposter.

Thereis1errorincapitalizationorpunctuation.

Thereare2errorsincapitalizationorpunctuation.

Therearemorethan2errorsincapitalizationorpunctuation.

Grammar Therearenogrammaticalmistakesontheposter.

Thereis1grammaticalmistakeontheposter.

Thereare2grammaticalmistakesontheposter.

Therearemorethan2grammaticalmistakesontheposter.

Sources Yourgroupresearchedthreeadditionalsources

Yourgroupresearchedtwoadditionalsources

Yourgroupresearchedoneadditionalsource

Yourgroupresearchednoadditionalsources

TVADRUBRIC:

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1Time-Limit Presentationis1-2minutes

long.Presentationis15secondsover/undertheallottedtime.

Presentationis30secondsover/undertheallottedtime.

Presentationispresentationisgreater/lessthan30secondsover/underallottedtime.

SpeaksClearly Speaksclearlyanddistinctlyall(100-95%)thetime,andmispronouncesnowords.

Speaksclearlyanddistinctlyall(100-95%)thetime,butmispronouncesoneword.

Speaksclearlyanddistinctlymost(94-85%)ofthetime.Mispronouncesnomorethanoneword.

OftenmumblesorcannotbeunderstoodORmispronouncesmorethanoneword.

Content Showsafullunderstandingofthetopic.

Showsagoodunderstandingofthetopic.

Showsagoodunderstandingofpartsofthetopic.

Doesnotseemtounderstandthetopicverywell.

Sources Yourgroupresearchedthreeadditionalsources

Yourgroupresearchedtwoadditionalsources

Yourgroupresearchedoneadditionalsource

Yourgroupresearchednoadditionalsources

Preparedness Studentiscompletelypreparedandhasobviouslyrehearsed.

Studentseemsprettypreparedbutmighthaveneededacouplemorerehearsals.

Thestudentissomewhatprepared,butitisclearthatrehearsalwaslacking.

Studentdoesnotseematallpreparedtopresent.

Props Studentusesseveralprops(couldincludecostume)thatshowconsiderablework/creativityandwhichmakethepresentationbetter.

Studentuses1propthatshowsconsiderablework/creativityandwhichmakethepresentationbetter.

Studentuses1propwhichmakesthepresentationbetter.

ThestudentusesnopropsORthepropschosendetractfromthepresentation.

16

RepublicanSevenRepresentedbySenatorMargaretChaseSmith

YourgrouprepresentsagroupofRepublicanSenators–theRepublicanSeven–thatOPPOSESthereelectionofSenatorJosephMcCarthyonthegroundsthathismethodsforfindingcommunistsareharmfulandexcessive.ThefollowingexcerptsfromaspeechgivenbySenatorMargaretChaseSmith–“DeclarationofConscience”highlightyourgroup’sviews.Besuretoconductadditionalresearchtodefendyourposition.[…]IthinkthatitishightimethatwerememberedthatwehavesworntoupholdanddefendtheConstitution.IthinkthatitishightimethatwerememberedthattheConstitution,asamended,speaksnotonlyofthefreedomofspeech,butalsooftrialbyjuryinsteadoftrialbyaccusation.WhetheritbeacriminalprosecutionincourtoracharacterprosecutionintheSenate,thereislittlepracticaldistinctionwhenthelifeofapersonhasbeenruined.ThoseofuswhoshouttheloudestaboutAmericanisminmakingcharacterassassinationsarealltoofrequentlythosewho,byourownwordsandacts,ignoresomeofthebasicprinciplesofAmericanism—Therighttocriticize;Therighttoholdunpopularbeliefs;Therighttoprotest;Therightofindependentthought.TheexerciseoftheserightsshouldnotcostonesingleAmericancitizenhisreputationorhisrighttoalivelihoodnorshouldhebeindangeroflosinghisreputationorlivelihoodmerelybecausehehappenstoknowsomeonewhoholdsunpopularbeliefs.Whoofusdoesn’t?Otherwisenoneofuscouldcalloursoulsourown.Otherwisethoughtcontrolwouldhavesetin.TheAmericanpeoplearesickandtiredofbeingafraidtospeaktheirmindslesttheybepoliticallysmearedas“Communists”or“Fascists”bytheiropponents.FreedomofspeechisnotwhatitusedtobeinAmerica.Ithasbeensoabusedbysomethatitisnotexercisedbyothers.TheAmericanpeoplearesickandtiredofseeinginnocentpeoplesmearedandguiltypeoplewhitewashed.Buttherehavebeenenoughprovedcases,suchastheAmerasiacase,theHisscase,theCoploncase,theGoldcase,tocauseNation-widedistrustandstrongsuspicionthattheremaybesomethingtotheunproved,sensationalaccusations.AsaRepublican,IsaytomycolleaguesonthissideoftheaislethattheRepublicanPartyfacesachallengetodaythatisnotunlikethechallengethatitfacedbackinLincoln’sday.TheRepublicanPartysosuccessfullymetthatchallengethatitemergedfromtheCivilWarasthechampionofaunitednation—inadditiontobeingapartythatunrelentinglyfoughtloosespendingandlooseprograms.TodayourcountryisbeingpsychologicallydividedbytheconfusionandthesuspicionsthatarebredintheUnitedStatesSenatetospreadlikecanceroustentaclesof“knownothing,suspecteverything”attitudes.TodaywehaveaDemocraticadministrationthathasdevelopedamaniaforloosespendingandlooseprograms.Historyisrepeatingitself—andtheRepublicanPartyagainhastheopportunitytoemergeasthechampionofunityandprudence.TherecordofthepresentDemocraticadministrationhasprovideduswithsufficientcampaignissueswithoutthenecessityofresortingtopoliticalsmears.AmericaisrapidlylosingitspositionasleaderoftheworldsimplybecausetheDemocraticadministrationhaspitifullyfailedtoprovideeffectiveleadership.TheDemocraticadministrationhascompletelyconfusedtheAmericanpeoplebyitsdailycontradictorygravewarningsandoptimisticassurances—thatshowthepeoplethatourDemocraticadministrationhasnoideaofwhereitisgoing.TheDemocraticadministrationhasgreatlylosttheconfidenceoftheAmericanpeoplebyitscomplacencytothethreatofcommunismhereathomeandtheleakofvitalsecretstoRussiathroughkeyofficialsoftheDemocraticadministration.Thereareenoughprovedcasestomakethispointwithoutdilutingourcriticismwithunprovedcharges.SurelythesearesufficientreasonstomakeitcleartotheAmericanpeoplethatitistimeforachangeandthataRepublicanvictoryisnecessarytothesecurityofthiscountry.SurelyitisclearthatthisnationwillcontinuetosufferaslongasitisgovernedbythepresentineffectiveDemocraticadministration.

17

YettodisplaceitwithaRepublicanregimeembracingaphilosophythatlackspoliticalintegrityorintellectualhonestywouldproveequallydisastroustothisNation.TheNationsorelyneedsaRepublicanvictory.ButIdon’twanttoseetheRepublicanPartyridetopoliticalvictoryonthefourhorsemenofcalumny—fear,ignorance,bigotryandsmear.IdoubtiftheRepublicanPartycould—simplybecauseIdon’tbelievetheAmericanpeoplewillupholdanypoliticalpartythatputspoliticalexploitationabovenationalinterest.SurelyweRepublicansaren’tthatdesperateforvictory.Idon’twanttoseetheRepublicanPartywinthatway.WhileitmightbeafleetingvictoryfortheRepublicanParty,itwouldbeamorelastingdefeatfortheAmericanpeople.SurelyitwouldultimatelybesuicidefortheRepublicanPartyandthetwo-partysystemthathasprotectedourAmericanlibertiesfromthedictatorshipofaone-partysystem.Asmembersoftheminorityparty,wedonothavetheprimaryauthoritytoformulatethepolicyofourGovernment.Butwedohavetheresponsibilityofrenderingconstructivecriticism,ofclarifyingissues,ofallayingfearsbyactingasresponsiblecitizens.Asawoman,Iwonderhowthemothers,wives,sisters,anddaughtersfeelaboutthewayinwhichmembersoftheirfamilieshavebeenpoliticallymangledinSenatedebate—andIusetheword“debate”advisedly.AsaUnitedStatesSenator,IamnotproudofthewayinwhichtheSenatehasbeenmadeapublicityplatformforirresponsiblesensationalism.Iamnotproudoftherecklessabandoninwhichunprovedchargeshavebeenhurledfromthissideoftheaisle.Iamnotproudoftheobviouslystaged,undignifiedcounterchargesthathavebeenattemptedinretaliationfromtheothersideoftheaisle.Idon’tlikethewaytheSenatehasbeenmadearendezvousforvilification,forselfishpoliticalgainatthesacrificeofindividualreputationsandnationalunity.IamnotproudofthewaywesmearoutsidersfromtheflooroftheSenateandhidebehindthecloakofcongressionalimmunityandstillplaceourselvesbeyondcriticismontheflooroftheSenate.AsanAmerican,IamshockedatthewayRepublicansandDemocratsalikeareplayingdirectlyintotheCommunistdesignof“confuse,divideandconquer.”AsanAmerican,Idon’twantaDemocraticadministration“whitewash”or“cover-up”anymorethanIwantaRepublicansmearorwitchhunt.AsanAmerican,IcondemnaRepublican“Fascist”justasmuchasIcondemnaDemocrat“Communist.”IcondemnaDemocrat“Fascist”justasmuchasIcondemnaRepublican“Communist.”Theyareequallydangeroustoyouandmeandtoourcountry.AsanAmerican,IwanttoseeourNationrecapturethestrengthandunityitoncehadwhenwefoughttheenemyinsteadofourselves.ItiswiththesethoughtsIhavedraftedwhatIcallaDeclarationofConscience.IamgratifiedthatSenatorTobey,SenatorAiken,SenatorMorse,SenatorIves,SenatorThyeandSenatorHendrickson,haveconcurredinthatdeclarationandhaveauthorizedmetoannouncetheirconcurrence.

StatementofSevenRepublicanSenators1.WeareRepublicans.ButweareAmericansfirst.ItisasAmericansthatweexpressourconcernwiththegrowingconfusionthatthreatensthesecurityandstabilityofourcountry.DemocratsandRepublicansalikehavecontributedtothatconfusion.2.TheDemocraticadministrationhasinitiallycreatedtheconfusionbyitslackofeffectiveleadership,byitscontradictorygravewarningsandoptimisticassurances,byitscomplacencytothethreatofcommunismhereathome,byitsoversensitivenesstorightfulcriticism,byitspettybitternessagainstitscritics.3.CertainelementsoftheRepublicanPartyhavemateriallyaddedtothisconfusioninthehopesofridingtheRepublicanpartytovictorythroughtheselfishpoliticalexploitationoffear,bigotry,ignorance,andintolerance.ThereareenoughmistakesoftheDemocratsforRepublicanstocriticizeconstructivelywithoutresortingtopoliticalsmears.4.Tothisextent,DemocratsandRepublicansalikehaveunwittingly,butundeniably,playeddirectlyintotheCommunistdesignof“confuse,divideandconquer.”5.ItishightimethatwestoppedthinkingpoliticallyasRepublicansandDemocratsaboutelectionsandstartedthinkingpatrioticallyasAmericansaboutnationalsecuritybasedonindividualfreedom.Itishightimethatweallstoppedbeing

18

toolsandvictimsoftotalitariantechniques—techniquesthat,ifcontinuedhereunchecked,willsurelyendwhatwehavecometocherishastheAmericanwayoflife.

Source:http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6459

19

ConcernedMediaMembers

RepresentedbyEdwardR.Murrow

Yourgrouprepresentsagroupofmediamembers–fromnewspapers,television,andradio–thatOPPOSESthereelectionofSenatorJosephMcCarthyonthegroundsthathismethodsforfindingcommunistsareharmfulandexcessive.EdwardR.MurrowwasaradioandtelevisionjournalistwhotookastandagainstJosephMcCarthyusinghisCBSNewsprogram“SeeItNow”.McCarthyissuedattacksagainstMurrowcallinghimthe“leaderofthejackalpack”andheaccusedMurrowofcommunistconnections.MurrowhascometorepresentamajorvoiceofoppositiontoSenatorJoeMcCarthy.UsetheeditorialfromCollier’sMagazine–McCarthyCriesAgain-theMurrowquote,andtheHerbBlockcartoontohighlightyourgroup’sviewsandconcerns.

McCarthyCriesAgainAcoupleofyearsagoSenatorJoeMcCarthybuckledonhisarmorand,likeatwentieth-centuryDonQuixote,setouttoslaythedragonofAmericanCommunismsinglehanded.Hisintentionsseemednobleasthoseofthegoodknight.Butalsolikethegoodknight,whoattackedaprocessionofmonksandaflockofsheepundertheimpressionthattheywerebrigandsandogres,hegotalittleconfusedaboutthetargetsofhissallies.Thusithascometopass,ashiscrusadecontinues,thatanyonewhotakesissuewithhimassumesthelookoftheReddragonitself.Disagreementbecomesliesorcrookedness.Anadverseeditorialcommentisautomaticallya“left-wingsmear.”AndthesenatorchargestreasonagainstacountrymanasrecklesslyasDonQuixotechargedthewindmill.Mr.McCarthyhashadabusytimeofit,becausethereareagreatmanypeoplewhoapprovethepurposeofhiscrusade,butobjectstronglytohismethods.Therearemanypublicationswhichfeelthesameway.OneofthemisCollier’s.AnotherisTime.AndweatCollier’sfeeljustalittlediscriminatedagainstbecause,sofar,thesenatorhasignoreduswhilesinglingoutTimeandaccusingitof“twistinganddistortingthefactsaboutmy(McCarthy’s)fighttoexposeandremoveCommunistsfromgovernment.”ThischargeapparentlygrewoutofaTimecoverstoryonSenatorMcCarthy.Thesenatorhadearlierattackeditasa“viciousandmaliciouslie.”Butrecentlyheemployedanewtacticwhichwasdefinitelynotcricket.Backedbytheprestigeofhisoffice,hesentaletterto“practicallyallTimeadvertisers,”accordingtohisownstatement,which,whileitdidnotcomerightoutandaskthemtotaketheirbusinesselsewhere,suggestedthattheyweredoingtheircountryadisservicebytheircontinuedsupportofthemagazine.Sincesomeoftheseadvertiserswere“notawareofthefacts,”theletterstated,theywere“unknowinglyhelpingtopolluteandpoisonthewaterholesofinformation.”Stillswimmingalonginhisaquaticmetaphor,thesenatorsaidthat“itismuchmoreimportanttoexposealiar,acrookoratraitorwhoisabletopoisonthestreamsofinformationflowingintoavastnumberofAmericanhomesthantoexposeanequallyviciouscrook,liarortraitorwhohasnomagazineornewspaperoutletforhispoison.”Thesourceofthesenator’s“facts”wasanarticlefromtheAmericanMercuryandareprintfromtheCongressionalRecord.Onthebasisofthese,thegentlemanwhocomplainsaboutdistortionsandsmearsvirtuallyaccusedTime’seditorsofdishonestyandtreasoninsomanywords.NaturallyMr.McCarthyanticipatedsomecriticism.“Irealize,”hesaid,“thatbringingthesefactstotheattentionofTime’sadvertiserswillcausesomeoftheunthinkingtoshoutthatthisisendangering‘freedomofthepress.’”But,headded,“Toallowaliartohidebehindthecry‘Youareendangeringfreedomofthepress’isnotonlyridiculous,itisdangerous.”Tothiswecanonlyanswerthatwhenamanhidesbehindthecry“Youarealiar”beforeanyonehasaccusedhimofendangeringfreedomofthepress,hemustbefeelingratherinsecure.Andwhenhetriestointimidateacriticalpublicationbyseekingtoalienateitschiefsourcesofrevenue,heissomethinglessthancourageous.

20

SenatorMcCarthyhassethimselfupasthefinalauthorityonloyaltyandAmericanism.Heinsiststhathisaccusationsarenottobedoubted,andhisjudgmentisnottobequestioned.Yet,afewweeksafterhewrotehislettertoTime’sadvertisers,hetestifiedinSyracuse,NewYorkthattheWashingtonPostandtheNewYork(Communist)DailyWorker“paralleleachotherquitecloselyineditorials.”AndwhenhewasaskedwhetherhewouldconsidertheChristianScienceMonitora“left-wingsmearpaper,”hereplied,“Ican’tansweryesorno.”Thosearethestatementsofamanwhoiseitherwoefullyunperceptiveorwhollyirresponsible.Andwhensuchamanasksthathiswild-swingingattacksbeacceptedwithoutquestion,heis,toborrowhisownwords,notonlyridiculousbutdangerous.Wearenotconcernedthat,onthebasisofthiseditorial,thesenatormaynowaddustohiscompanyof“left-wingsmearers,”orthathemayalsowarnouradvertisersofthedangerofsupportinganotherpublicationwhichpollutesthewaterholesofinformation.WhatdoesconcernusistherealdangerofCommunistinfiltrationingovernment,andthefactthatthisdangeristooserioustobeobscuredandcloudedbySenatorMcCarthy’seccentricities,exaggerationsandabsurdities.Source:http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6453

MurrowQuote

"Wemustnotconfusedissentwithdisloyalty.Wemustrememberalwaysthataccusationisnotproofandthatconvictiondependsuponevidenceanddueprocessoflaw.Wewillnotwalkinfear,oneofanother.Wewillnotbedrivenbyfearintoanageofunreason,ifwedigdeepinourhistoryandourdoctrine,andrememberthatwearenotdescendedfromfearfulmen--notfrommenwhofearedtowrite,tospeak,toassociateandtodefendcausesthatwere,forthemoment,unpopular."Source:http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_R._Murrow

HerbBlockCartoon

Source:http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/10/06/stars-of-political-cartooning-herb-block/

21

HollywoodAgainstCommunists(HAC)RepresentedbyRonaldReagan

YourgrouprepresentsagroupofHollywoodactors,studioexecutives,producers,anddirectorsthatSUPPORTthereelectionofSenatorJosephMcCarthyonthegroundsthatfightingcommunismathomeisthemostimportantdomesticissue

facingAmerican’stoday.RonaldReaganwasaHollywoodactorandpresidentoftheScreenActorsGuildduringtheHUACinvestigationsofHollywoodinthelate1940’s(thispredatestheriseofJosephMcCarthy).Hewasacommittedanti-Communist,andhecooperatedwithHUACincommentingontheallegedactivitiesofcommunistsinHollywoodandtheScreenActorsGuild.TheHUACinvestigationsintoHollywoodwerehighlypublicizedandwellknown.Includesomebackgroundinformationabouttheinvestigations,“blacklist”,andthe“HollywoodTen”inyourcommercialsupportingJoeMcCarthy.

Hollywoodvs.HUACThebestknownHUAChearingstargetedthemovieindustryin1947.TheHUACinvestigationsuncoveredpeoplewhowere,orhadbeen,communistsduringthe30’sand40’s.Agroupofwriters,directorsandproducersrefusedtoanswerquestions,assertingtheirFifthAmendmentrightsagainstselfincrimination.Theybecameknownasthe“HollywoodTen”andafterthehearingstheywerecitedforcontemptofCongressandweretried,convicted,andsenttoprison.Movieexecutivescirculatedablacklistofentertainerswhoshouldnotbehiredforsuspectedcommunistsympathies.

Source:UnitedStatesHistory.Boston,MA:PrenticeHall,2009.736-43.Print.

ExcerptofRonaldReagan’sHUACTestimony:

STRIPLING:WereyoueversolicitedtosponsortheJointAnti-FascistRefugeeCommittee?REAGAN:No,sir,Iwasneversolicitedtodothat,butIfoundmyselfmisledintobeingasponsoronanotheroccasionforafunctionthatwasheldundertheauspicesoftheJointAnti-FascistRefugeeCommittee.STRIPLING:Didyouknowinglygiveyournameasasponsor?REAGAN:Notknowingly.CouldIexplainwhatthatoccasionwas?STRIPLING:Yessir.REAGAN:Iwascalledseveralweeksago.TherehappenedtobeafinancialdriveontoraisemoneytobuildabadlyneededhospitalcalledtheAllNationsHospital.IthinkthepurposeofthebuildingissoobviousbythetitlethatithasthesupportofmostofthepeopleofLosAngeles.Certainlyofmostofthedoctors.SometimeagoIwascalledtothetelephone.Awomanintroducedherselfbyname.Ididn'tmakeanyparticularnoteofhername,andIcouldn'tgiveitnow.ShetoldmethattherewouldbearecitalheldatwhichPaulRobesonwouldsing,andshesaidthatallthemoneyfortheticketswouldgotothehospital,andaskedifshecouldusemynameasoneofthesponsors.Ihesitatedforamoment,becauseIdon'tthinkthatMr.Robeson'sandmypoliticalviewscoincideatall;andthenIthoughtIwasbeingalittlestupidbecause,Ithought,hereisanoccasionwhereMr.Robesonisperhapsappearingasanartist,andcertainlytheobject,raisingmoney,isaboveanypoliticalconsideration:itisahospitalsupportedbyeveryone.Ihavecontributedmoneymyself.SoIfeltalittlebitasifIhadbeenstuffyforaminute,andIsaid,"Certainly,youcanusemyname."Ilefttownforacoupleofweeksand,whenIreturned,IwashandedanewspaperstorythatsaidthatthisrecitalwasheldattheShrineAuditoriuminLosAngelesundertheauspicesoftheJointAnti-FascistRefugeeCommittee.TheprincipalspeakerwasEmilLustig,RobertBurmantookupacollection,andtheremnantsoftheAbrahamLincolnBrigadewereparadedontheplatform.Ididnot,inthenewspaperstory,seeonewordaboutthehospital.IcalledthenewspaperandsaidIamnotaccustomedtowritingtoeditorsbutwouldliketoexplainmyposition,andhelaughedandsaid,"Youneedn'tbother,youareaboutthe50thpersonwhohadalsobeenlistedassponsorsofthataffair."STRIPLING:Wouldyousayfromyourobservationthatthatistypicalofthetacticsofthecommunists,tosolicitandusethenamesofprominentpeopletoeitherraisemoneyorgainsupport?REAGAN:Ithinkitisinkeepingwiththeirtactics,yessir.

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STRIPLING:Doyouthinkthereisanythingdemocraticaboutthosetactics?REAGAN:Idonot,sir.STRIPLING:Mr.Reagan,whatisyourfeelingaboutwhatstepsshouldbetakentoridthemotionpictureindustryofanycommunistinfluences?REAGAN:Well,sir,99percentofusareprettywellawareofwhatisgoingon,andIthink,withintheboundsofourdemocraticrightsandneveroncesteppingovertherightsgivenusbydemocracy,wehavedoneaprettygoodjobinourbusinessofkeepingthosepeople'sactivitiescurtailed.Afterall,wemustrecognizethematpresentasapoliticalparty.Onthatbasiswehaveexposedtheirlieswhenwecameacrossthem,wehaveopposedtheirpropaganda,andIcancertainlytestifythatinthecaseoftheScreenActorsGuildwehavebeeneminentlysuccessfulinpreventingthemfrom,withtheirusualtactics,tryingtorunamajorityofanorganizationwithawellorganizedminority.Inopposingthosepeople,thebestthingtodoismakedemocracywork.IntheScreenActorsGuildwemakeitworkbyinsuringeveryoneavoteandbykeepingeveryoneinformed.Ibelievethat,asThomasJeffersonputit,ifalltheAmericanpeopleknowallofthefactstheywillnevermakeamistake.Whetherthepartyshouldbeoutlawed,thatisamatterforthegovernmenttodecide.Asacitizen,Iwouldhesitatetoseeanypoliticalpartyoutlawedonthebasisofitspoliticalideology.However,ifitisproventhatanorganizationisanagentofforeignpower,orinanywaynotalegitimatepoliticalparty--andIthinkthegovernmentiscapableofprovingthat--thenthatisanothermatter.IhappentobeveryproudoftheindustryinwhichIwork;Ihappentobeveryproudofthewayinwhichweconductedthefight.Idonotbelievethecommunistshaveeveratanytimebeenabletousethemotionpicturescreenasasoundingboardfortheirphilosophyorideology.CHAIRMAN:Thereisonethingthatyousaidthatinterestedmeverymuch.ThatwasthequotationfromJefferson.ThatiswhythiscommitteewascreatedbytheHouseofRepresentatives:toacquainttheAmericanpeoplewiththefacts.OncetheAmericanpeopleareacquaintedwiththefactsthereisnoquestionbutwhattheAmericanpeoplewilldothekindofjobthattheywantdone:thatis,tomakeAmericajustaspureaswecanpossiblymakeit.Wewanttothankyouverymuchforcomingheretoday.REAGAN:Sir,Idetest,Iabhortheirphilosophy,butIdetestmorethanthattheirtactics,whicharethoseofthefifthcolumn,andaredishonest,butatthesametimeIneverasacitizenwanttoseeourcountrybecomeurged,byeitherfearorresentmentofthisgroup,thatweevercompromisewithanyofourdemocraticprinciplesthroughthatfearorresentment.Istillthinkthatdemocracycandoit.Source:http://www.twcnet.edu/cschutz/history-page/Consensus/Reagan-huac-testimony.html

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SoldiersAgainstMcCarthyRepresentedbyJosephWelch

YourgrouprepresentsagroupofUSsoldierswhoOPPOSEJosephMcCarthy’sreelectiononthegroundsthathismethodsforfindingcommunistsarerecklessandun-American.

YouarerepresentedbyChiefCouncilfortheArmy,JosephWelch,whodefendedthearmyfromMcCarthy’scharges.YouarefamousforyourcontentiousexchangewithMcCarthyonlivetelevisionduringtheArmy-McCarthyhearings.IncludesomebackgroundinformationregardingtheArmy-McCarthyhearingsandtheexchangebetweenWelchandMcCarthyinyourcampaigncommercial.

BackgroundinformationregardingtheArmy-McCarthyhearings:

TheSenatePermanentSubcommitteeonInvestigationsdecidedtoholdhearingsthatbecameknownastheArmy-McCarthyhearings,televisedfromtheSenateCaucusRoom.McCarthyrelinquishedhischairmanshippositiontoRepublicanKarlMundtfromSouthDakotasothatthehearingscouldcommence.BothsidesofthatdisputeairedonnationaltelevisionbetweenApril22andJune17,1954,for188hoursofbroadcasttimeinfrontof22millionviewers.McCarthy’sfrequentinterruptionsoftheproceedingsandhiscallsof"pointoforder"madehimtheobjectofridicule,andhisapprovalratingsinpublicopinionpollscontinuedasharpdecline.OnJune9,thehearingsreachedtheirmomentofgreatestdrama,whenMcCarthyattackedayounglegalaideofJosephNyeWelch(ArmyChiefCounsel).Theaide,FredFisher,hadonceworkedfortheNationalLawyersGuild(anorganizationwithcommunistties)andWelchhadadvisedhimtostayawayfromthehearingsforhisowngood.Eventhoughthemanwasnotpresent,McCarthyimpugnedhischaracter.Welch’sreplybecamefamous:“Untilthismoment,senator,IthinkInevergaugedyourcrueltyorrecklessness....Haveyounosenseofdecency,sir,atlonglast?Haveyouleftnosenseofdecency?”WhenMcCarthyattemptedtorespond,Welshcuthimoffdemandingthatthechairmancallthenextwitness.Hesitatingforamoment,thesilentgallerybrokeintoapplause.McCarthywasstunned.Thehearingsdrewtoaninconclusivefinishshortlyafterwards.TelevisedcoverageofthehearingsexposedMcCarthy’sobnoxiousdemeanordidmuchtoruinhisreputation.Hisnasally“pointoforder”phrasebecameanationalclichéandmembersofthesubcommitteebecamehouseholdnamesandfaces.Sources:http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1769.html;UnitedStatesHistory.Boston,MA:PrenticeHall,2009.736-43.Print.

ExcerptofafamousexchangebetweenMr.McCarthyandMr.WelchduringtheArmy-McCarthyhearings:

OnJune9,1954,the30thdayofthehearings,McCarthyaccusedFredFisher,oneofthejuniorattorneysatWelch'sfirm,ofassociation(whileinlawschool)withtheNationalLawyersGuild(NLG),agroupthatsomefelthadcommunistties.WelchwroteoffFisher'sassociationwiththeNLGasayouthfulindiscretionandwentafterMcCarthyfordraggingtheyoungman'snamebeforeanationwidetelevisionaudiencewithnopriorwarningorpreviousagreementtodoso:“Untilthismoment,Senator,IthinkIhaveneverreallygaugedyourcrueltyoryourrecklessness.FredFisherisayoungmanwhowenttotheHarvardLawSchoolandcameintomyfirmandisstartingwhatlookstobeabrilliantcareerwithus.LittledidIdreamyoucouldbesorecklessandsocruelastodoaninjurytothatlad.ItistruethathewillcontinuetobewithHaleandDorr.Itis,Iregrettosay,equallytruethatIfearheshallalwaysbearascarneedlesslyinflictedbyyou.IfitwereinmypowertoforgiveyouforyourrecklesscrueltyIwoulddoso.IliketothinkthatIamagentlemanbutyourforgivenesswillhavetocomefromsomeoneotherthanme.”WhenMcCarthytriedtogoontheattackoncemore,Welchsteppedinagainandfamouslyrebuked:Senator,maywenotdropthis?WeknowhebelongedtotheLawyersGuild.Letusnotassassinatethisladfurther,Senator.You'vedoneenough.Haveyounosenseofdecency,sir?Atlonglast,haveyouleftnosenseofdecency?McCarthytriedtoaskWelchanotherquestionaboutFisher,andWelchcuthimoff:

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Mr.McCarthy,Iwillnotdiscussthisfurtherwithyou.Youhavesatwithinsixfeetofmeandcouldask-couldhaveaskedmeaboutFredFisher.Youhaveseenfittobringitout.AndifthereisaGodinHeavenitwilldoneitheryounoryourcauseanygood.Iwillnotdiscussitfurther.IwillnotaskMr.Cohnanymorequestions.You,Mr.Chairman,may,ifyouwill,callthenextwitness.

McCarthyPublicOpinionPollfor1954 Favorable NoOpinion Unfavorable NetFavorable

Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_WelchPolsby,NelsonW.(October1962)."TowardsanExplanationofMcCarthyism".PoliticalStudies8:252.

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CampaignfortheReelectionofJosephMcCarthyRepresentedbySenatorJosephMcCarthy

YourgrouprepresentsagroupofAmerican’sthatSUPPORTJosephMcCarthy’sreelectiononthegroundsthatexposingcommunist

infiltrationofthegovernmentismoreimportantthanprotectingindividualrights.YouarerepresentedbySenatorJosephMcCarthy.Includesomebiographicalinformationandexcerptsfromtheprimarysourcesfromthepreviousactivityinyourcampaigncommercial:

ShortBiographyofJosephMcCarthyJosephRaymondMcCarthy(November14,1908–May2,1957)wasanAmericanpoliticianwhoservedasaRepublicanU.S.SenatorfromthestateofWisconsinfrom1947untilhisdeathin1957.Beginningin1950,McCarthybecamethemostvisiblepublicfaceofaperiodinwhichColdWartensionsfueledfearsofwidespreadCommunistsubversion.HewasnotedformakingclaimsthattherewerelargenumbersofCommunistsandSovietspiesandsympathizersinsidetheUnitedStatesfederalgovernmentandelsewhere.Ultimately,McCarthy'stacticsandhisinabilitytosubstantiatehisclaimsledhimtobecensuredbytheUnitedStatesSenate.ThetermMcCarthyism,coinedin1950inreferencetoMcCarthy'spractices,wassoonappliedtosimilaranti-communistactivities.Todaythetermisusedmoregenerallytodescribedemagogic,reckless,andunsubstantiatedaccusations,aswellaspublicattacksonthecharacterorpatriotismofpoliticalopponents.

BornandraisedonaWisconsinfarm,McCarthyearnedalawdegreeatMarquetteUniversityin1935andwaselectedasacircuitjudgein1939,theyoungestinstatehistory.Atage33,McCarthyvolunteeredfortheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsandservedduringWorldWarII.HesuccessfullyranfortheUnitedStatesSenatein1946,defeatingRobertM.LaFollette,Jr.AfterseverallargelyundistinguishedyearsintheSenate,McCarthyrosesuddenlytonationalfameinFebruary1950whenheassertedinaspeechthathehadalistof"membersoftheCommunistPartyandmembersofaspyring"whowereemployedintheStateDepartment.McCarthywasneverabletoprovehissensationalcharge.Insucceedingyears,McCarthymadeadditionalaccusationsofCommunistinfiltrationintotheStateDepartment,theadministrationofPresidentTruman,VoiceofAmerica,andtheUnitedStatesArmy.Healsousedchargesofcommunism,communistsympathies,ordisloyaltytoattackanumberofpoliticiansandotherindividualsinsideandoutsideofgovernment.WiththehighlypublicizedArmy–McCarthyhearingsof1954,McCarthy'ssupportandpopularitybegantofade.

Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy;UnitedStatesHistory.Boston,MA:PrenticeHall,2009.736-43.Print.

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TestimonyofFBIDirectorJ.EdgarHooverbeforeHUAContheCommunistThreatatHome

Source:Schrecker,Ellen.TheAgeofMcCarthyism:ABriefHistorywithDocuments(Boston:BedfordBooks,1994),114,119–20)

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Name_____________________________________ JoeMcCarthy:ShouldHeStayorShouldHeGo?NotesSheet

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