McCarthyism

A Webquest

Introduction

The term McCarthyism, derived from the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s, has come to mean the use of reckless and unfair accusations in the name of supressing political disloyalty. The actions of McCarthy combined with communist expansion and the Korean War aroused public fear and led to a renewed Red Scare. McCarthy played on public fear in a bid to increase his own political standing. In the end McCarthy’s accusations were proven false and he was censured by the Senate, although this came too late for many whose lives were ruined by those unsubstantiated charges.

The 1950s, including the Red Scare and McCarthyism, is not the only time in the history of the United States in which a particular group was singled out and blamed for the problems of the time. In this webquest you will explore two other times in which public fear turned into a mass hysteria which robbed people of their rights, their position in the community, and sometimes their lives; the Salem witch trials and the Palmer raids.

Tasks

¨Using the list of online resources, your textbook and literature anthologies, and class discussion answer the questions from the Process section of the webquest in complete and coherent sentences.

¨The media is always a source of political commentary that often deeply influences the way the public perceives an issue. Using the sites provided research an article or political cartoon from the early 1950s that offers a commentary on the state of affairs under McCarthy. Be prepared to discuss with the class the significance of this article or cartoon, including the bias that it might have, what is being focused on, and what is being left out. Pay special attention to the language used in the article for this is often a subtle way of conveying a message.

Process

¨Questions for Task 1:

1. What is McCarthyism?

2. What is HUAC?

3. Name one person who was accused of having communist sympathies or was called before the committee? Why was this person accused?

4. Who were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?

5. Who was Alger Hiss?

6. Define subversive.

7. What was the McCarran Act?

8. What was the Smith Act?

9. How was McCarthy able to convince people that there was a true communist threat in the United States?

10. What were the long term consequences of McCarthyism

¨Internet Resources

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/mccarthyism.html

http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/dl/McCarthy/Mccarthydocuments.html – this site provides primary documents and communication between involved parties.

http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/2010/mccarthy.htm A great site, providing links to other connected sites along with audiotapes of McCarthy describing his feelings on communism.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/focus/people/vo03no10_mccarthy.htm – an alternative view of issues and events in American history. The site claims to be a “valuable tool in confronting the liberal, mainstream media”.

http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/hist409/red.html – focus on the Palmer raids.

http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/salem/home.html

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM

http://www.boondocksnet.com/gallery/pc_intro.html – political cartoons

Final Project

The attempt of Senator Joseph McCarthy and others to expose and eliminate Communists from the U.S. government and key areas of society had precedents in a number of “witch hunts” in U.S. history in which a group was singled out and blamed for the problems of the time. Compare and contrast the activities of Senator Joseph McCarthy and others during the late 1940s and 1950s to the blame and witch hunting against a specific group of people in a different era of U.S. history. Information has been provided in the form of internet resources about the Salem witch trials and the Palmer raids of 1919-1920. You may use these situations or you may focus on another situation of your choice so long as it has been approved by the teacher.

-This paper must be 3-5 pages in length, and it must also be typed.

-Be sure to use complete and coherent sentences and paragraph structure.

-Use citations detailing where the information was located.

Evaluation

	Advanced / Excellent	Acceptable / Near Proficient	Unacceptable
Writing proficiency	The paper demonstrates writing proficiency in terms of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It presents a clear and focused comparison.	The papers contains some errors in terms of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It presents a less organized and focused comparison.	The paper contains consistent and repeated errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The paper lacks focus and consistency in terms of organization.
Content	The information provided is accurate and draws complex connections. The paper displays a thorough and extensive understanding of topic.	The information is mostly accurate and identifies acceptable connections. The paper displays a general understanding.	The information is inaccurate and identifies no or few connections. The paper displays only a partial understanding or some misunderstandings.