Sound Smart: The Red Scare | History

Summary

The Red Scare, a term associated with the fear of communism in the US, had two major periods: post-WWI and post-WWII. The first scare emerged after the Bolshevik Revolution, while the second peaked in the 1950s with Senator McCarthy. Both periods involved 'red baiting', accusing individuals of communism. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was instrumental in identifying suspected communists, leading to the persecution of artists like Paul Robson and Arthur Miller. The second scare also saw the rise of 'red guards', extremist groups that harassed and even murdered political opponents.

Takeaways

• 📅 The term 'Red Scare' refers to two major periods of fear of communism in the United States.
• 🌎 The first Red Scare occurred during World War I, following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.
• 🛑 The second Red Scare peaked after World War II, with heightened concerns about communism spreading to the U.S.
• 🗣️ Red baiting was a common practice during both scares, where suspected communists were identified and targeted.
• 🏛️ The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) played a significant role in uncovering communists, especially during the 1950s.
• 🏺 Southern politicians often labeled political adversaries as communists, even if they were civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
• 🎭 The second Red Scare had a significant impact on artists and entertainers, many of whom were blacklisted or faced unemployment.
• 👥 Young people formed groups known as 'red guards' to publicly shame, assault, and in some cases, kill political enemies of communism.
• 🚫 The Red Scare led to widespread suppression of free speech and association, particularly in the entertainment industry.
• 📉 Many prominent figures like Paul Robson and Arthur Miller were unable to work due to being labeled as communists or sympathizers.

Q & A

What is the 'Red Scare'?

The 'Red Scare' refers to the widespread fear and persecution of communism in the United States, particularly during the early 20th century.

How many major Red Scares are mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript mentions two major Red Scares.

When did the first Red Scare occur?

The first Red Scare took place during World War I, after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

What was the main concern during the first Red Scare?

The main concern was the fear of communism spreading and infiltrating the United States.

What was the role of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the Red Scare?

The HUAC was a key organization in identifying and uncovering suspected Communists within the U.S. government, particularly during the 1950s.

What is 'red baiting'?

Red baiting is the practice of identifying and attempting to out or uncover suspected Communists within the United States.

How did Southern politicians use the term 'communist' during the Red Scare?

Southern politicians often branded political subversives with whom they disagreed as communists, even if they were not actually Communists.

Which organization was banned as a communistic influence in Alabama and Mississippi?

The NAACP, a civil rights organization, was banned as a communistic influence.

Who were some of the individuals affected by the second Red Scare?

Artists and entertainers such as Paul Robson and Arthur Miller were unable to work because of being branded as suspected Communists or communist sympathizers.

What was the impact of the second Red Scare on young people?

Young people in large numbers joined what became known as the red guards, which were used to publicly humiliate, assault, and in some cases even murder political enemies of the Communist Party.

What was the purpose of the red guards during the Red Scare?

The red guards were largely terroristic organizations used to publicly humiliate, assault, and in some cases even murder political enemies of the Communist Party.