AP US History: The Second Red Scare - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there! Let's break down the Second Red Scare and make sure you're totally prepped for the AP exam. We'll keep it chill, clear, and focused on what you really need to know. Let's get started!

1. Introduction to the Second Red Scare

The Second Red Scare was a period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the US during the 1950s, fueled by Cold War tensions. It's super important to understand this era because it shows how fear can impact civil liberties and government actions. Let's dive in!

Key Concept

The Second Red Scare was driven by Cold War anxieties and a fear of communist infiltration within the US government and society.

2. Government Actions & Legislation

2.1 Loyalty Review Board

In 1947, President Truman created the Loyalty Review Board to investigate federal employees. The goal? To weed out those who might be security risks due to communist ties. 🕵️‍♂️

Over 3 million employees were investigated.
Hundreds were dismissed or resigned under pressure.
The FBI played a big role in background checks.

2.2 McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)

This act aimed to protect the US from communist subversion. It had some pretty serious implications:

Made it illegal to advocate for a totalitarian government.
Restricted travel and employment for members of communist organizations.
Authorized detention camps for subversives.
Established the Subversive Activities Control Board.

Exam Tip

Remember that the McCarran Act was highly controversial and was seen as a potential infringement on civil liberties. Some parts were later ruled unconstitutional.

2.3 House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Originally formed to investigate Nazis, HUAC was reactivated to find Communists. They went after:

Government officials
Organizations like the Boy Scouts
The Hollywood film industry

Quick Fact

Many people investigated by HUAC were blacklisted and lost their jobs. This is a classic example of the Red Scare's impact on individual lives.

3. Espionage Cases

The fear of communism was intensified by real cases of espionage. Let's look at some key examples:

3.1 The Hiss Case

Alger Hiss, a former State Department official, was accused of being a Soviet spy by Whittaker Chambers. This case was a big deal:

Chambers testified he gave classified docs to Hiss in the 1930s.
Hiss was convicted of perjury in 1950. - The case fueled fears of government infiltration by Soviet spies.

3.2 The Rosenberg Case

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of passing atomic secrets to the USSR. This case was super controversial:

David Greenglass implicated the Rosenbergs.
They were executed in 1953, the first civilians executed for espionage in US history.
Many believed they were victims of a government witch-hunt.

Memory Aid

Think of HISS as a high-ranking official (State Department) and the ROSENBERGS as spies who passed atomic secrets. This helps remember their roles in the Red Scare.

4. Senator Joseph McCarthy & McCarthyism

4.1 McCarthy's Rise

Senator Joseph McCarthy became the face of the Red Scare. In 1950, he claimed to have a list of Communists in the State Department. 🤯

His accusations were never substantiated.
His sensationalism became known as McCarthyism.
He relied on informers and outdated reports.

4.2 Tactics and Impact

McCarthy's tactics were all about creating fear and exploiting the press:

He accused the State Department of losing the Cold War.
He attacked prominent officials, like Secretary of State Dean Acheson.
His attacks won him a national following.

Common Mistake

Don't confuse McCarthyism with the Red Scare itself. McCarthyism is the specific practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper evidence. It was a key part of the Second Red Scare, but not the entire thing.

4.3 Eisenhower's Response

President Eisenhower was hesitant to directly confront McCarthy:

He hoped McCarthy would eventually discredit himself.
He famously said, "I will not get into a pissing contest with a skunk."

4.4 McCarthy's Downfall

McCarthy's downfall came after he attacked the US Army:

The 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings were televised, exposing his bullying behavior.
He was publicly humiliated by Joseph Welch, who asked, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"
The Senate censured McCarthy in 1954, leading to his rapid decline.

The Second Red Scare and McCarthyism are high-value topics because they illustrate the tension between national security and civil liberties. They are also frequently used to analyze the impact of fear and political opportunism.

5. Final Exam Focus

Okay, you've made it! Here's what to focus on for the exam:

Key Concepts: The Red Scare, McCarthyism, Cold War tensions, civil liberties, government overreach, espionage.
Key People: Truman, McCarthy, Hiss, the Rosenbergs, Eisenhower.
Key Legislation: McCarran Internal Security Act.
Common Question Types:
- Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the causes, effects, and key events of the Red Scare.
- Short Answer: Be ready to discuss the impact on civil liberties and the role of key figures like McCarthy.
- Free Response: Analyze how the Red Scare reflected Cold War anxieties and how it impacted American society.

Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations. Use specific examples to support your arguments.
Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Identify the key concepts and address them step-by-step.

6. Practice Questions

Let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following was NOT a contributing factor to the Second Red Scare in the United States? (A) The rise of communism in China (B) The Soviet Union's acquisition of nuclear weapons (C) The end of World War II (D) The assassination of President John F. Kennedy
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) is best known for its investigation of: (A) Organized crime (B) Labor unions (C) Alleged communists in the entertainment industry and government (D) Civil rights activists

Short Answer Question

Briefly explain the impact of the McCarran Internal Security Act on civil liberties in the United States during the Second Red Scare.

Free Response Question

Analyze the causes and effects of McCarthyism during the Second Red Scare. In your response, be sure to discuss:

The political climate that allowed McCarthyism to develop.
The tactics used by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
The impact of McCarthyism on American society and politics.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown:

Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the causes and effects of McCarthyism.
Contextualization (1 point): Describes the broader historical context of the Cold War and the fear of communism.
Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of McCarthy's tactics and their impact. (e.g., accusations, blacklisting, Army-McCarthy hearings).
Analysis (2 points): Explains how the political climate allowed McCarthyism to flourish and analyzes its effects on American society.
Synthesis (1 point): Connects McCarthyism to broader themes like the balance between national security and civil liberties.

You've got this! Remember, the key is to stay calm, focus on the big picture, and use your knowledge strategically. Good luck on the exam! 🌟

The Red Scare

Joseph Brown