GCSE History | McCarthyism and the Fear of Communism in the USA

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History Quiz - USA: 1945-1975 - Land Of Freedom? McCarthyism And The Fear Of Communism (Questions)

Explore McCarthyism in this GCSE History quiz, from anti-communist witch-hunts and blacklists to loyalty tests and the wider Cold War fear shaping life in post-war America.

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Fascinating Fact:

Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed in 1950 that he had a list of communists working in the State Department. His accusations created a climate of fear even though he had little real evidence.

In GCSE History, McCarthyism and the fear of communism show how Cold War tensions encouraged loyalty tests, investigations and public accusations, raising questions about civil liberties in the USA after 1945.

Key Terms

McCarthyism: A campaign of aggressive accusations against suspected communists in the early 1950s, often based on weak or secret evidence.
Blacklist: An unofficial list of people who were denied jobs, especially in film and television, because they were seen as politically suspect.
Red Scare: A period of intense fear that communism might spread into American government, culture and everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was McCarthyism in GCSE History?

McCarthyism describes the anti-communist hunts led by Senator McCarthy and others in the early 1950s. Many people were questioned or accused with little open evidence, damaging reputations and careers.

Why were Americans so afraid of communism after 1945?

Fear grew because the Soviet Union became a rival superpower, gained nuclear weapons and extended control over Eastern Europe. Many Americans worried that spies or local communists might help their enemies.

How did McCarthyism affect ordinary people in the USA?

Some teachers, government workers and entertainers lost jobs after being accused or named on blacklists. Even people who were never charged felt pressure to prove loyalty and avoid unpopular opinions.

Try These Related Quizzes

What do the following people all have in common? Alger Hiss, Julius Rosenberg, Ethel Rosenberg, Klaus Fuchs.

[ ]	They had all been involved as scientists developing the US Atomic bomb in the "Manhattan Project"
[ ]	They had all been members of the US Communist Party
[ ]	They had all been called before McCarthy's investigating committee
[ ]	They had all been convicted of spying for the Soviet Union

McCarthy launched his career as a "Red-baiter" in February 1950, when he alleged in a speech that there were no less than 205 communists in one of the Federal Government's departments. Which department was this?

[ ]	The Treasury
[ ]	The Pentagon/Department of Defence
[ ]	The State Department (the US Foreign Office)
[ ]	The Central Intelligence Agency

For which US state was McCarthy a Republican senator?

[ ]	Ohio
[ ]	Nebraska
[ ]	Wisconsin
[ ]	Maine

McCarthy used a pre-existing committee of the House of Representatives to question those who fell under his suspicion. What was this committee called?

[ ]	The House Committee of Public Safety
[ ]	The House Un-American Activities Committee
[ ]	The House Foreign Relations Committee
[ ]	The House National Defence Committee

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was an enthusiastic supporter of McCarthy's work. What was his name?

[ ]	J. Edgar Hoover
[ ]	Joseph Kennedy
[ ]	Norman Cohn
[ ]	Henry Morgenthau

Anti-Communist investigators drew up "blacklists" of suspects, including one of 300 people in the entertainment industry. In which part of the industry were they said to be working?

[ ]	Jazz
[ ]	Popular music
[ ]	Films
[ ]	Stand-up Comedy

Those called before the Committee were asked the following question: "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of the United States?" What nickname was given to this question?

[ ]	The Killer Question
[ ]	The 64 Dollar Question
[ ]	The Number One Question
[ ]	The Great Question

Which US body condemned McCarthy by 65 votes to 22 in 1954?

[ ]	The Supreme Court
[ ]	The House of Representatives
[ ]	The Senate
[ ]	The National Security Panel

Further damage was done to McCarthy when he presided over a televised inquisition of a much respected American institution. The result was widely regarded as inconclusive. Which institution was this?

[ ]	The US Navy
[ ]	The US Marine Corps
[ ]	The US Army
[ ]	The Episcopal Church

10.

Which of the following US politicians had their careers launched by assisting McCarthy in his enquiries?

[ ]	Richard Nixon
[ ]	Ronald Reagan
[ ]	Edward (Ted) Kennedy
[ ]	Barry Goldwater

History Quiz - USA: 1945-1975 - Land Of Freedom? McCarthyism And The Fear Of Communism (Answers)

What do the following people all have in common? Alger Hiss, Julius Rosenberg, Ethel Rosenberg, Klaus Fuchs.

[ ]	They had all been involved as scientists developing the US Atomic bomb in the "Manhattan Project"
[ ]	They had all been members of the US Communist Party
[ ]	They had all been called before McCarthy's investigating committee
[x]	They had all been convicted of spying for the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union had acquired the "A" bomb by 1950. The US authorities believed that they must have received help from Western scientists

[ ]	The Treasury
[ ]	The Pentagon/Department of Defence
[x]	The State Department (the US Foreign Office)
[ ]	The Central Intelligence Agency

McCarthy often changed his mind about the precise numbers of Communists in any one location, but he alleged their presence in several government departments

For which US state was McCarthy a Republican senator?

[ ]	Ohio
[ ]	Nebraska
[x]	Wisconsin
[ ]	Maine

As a member of Congress McCarthy was in a powerful position to conduct his campaign

McCarthy used a pre-existing committee of the House of Representatives to question those who fell under his suspicion. What was this committee called?

[ ]	The House Committee of Public Safety
[x]	The House Un-American Activities Committee
[ ]	The House Foreign Relations Committee
[ ]	The House National Defence Committee

McCarthy used this body as his platform to allege a massive Communist conspiracy at the very heart of the US establishment

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was an enthusiastic supporter of McCarthy's work. What was his name?

[x]	J. Edgar Hoover
[ ]	Joseph Kennedy
[ ]	Norman Cohn
[ ]	Henry Morgenthau

The FBI was responsible for domestic security and the investigation of organised crime

Anti-Communist investigators drew up "blacklists" of suspects, including one of 300 people in the entertainment industry. In which part of the industry were they said to be working?

[ ]	Jazz
[ ]	Popular music
[x]	Films
[ ]	Stand-up Comedy

Once blacklisted in one of these areas the victims found it very hard to find another job

[ ]	The Killer Question
[x]	The 64 Dollar Question
[ ]	The Number One Question
[ ]	The Great Question

Sometimes victims cited the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution as a reason not to answer this question for fear of incriminating themselves

Which US body condemned McCarthy by 65 votes to 22 in 1954?

[ ]	The Supreme Court
[ ]	The House of Representatives
[x]	The Senate
[ ]	The National Security Panel

This hostile vote was effectively the beginning of the end for McCarthy. Even the incoming Republican President Eisenhower had little time for him