McCarthyism
When looking back in American history, there is a time of darkness that seemed to shroud our country and threaten the "American Way of Life". This threat was known as Communism, and it was an ideal that scared people. It scared the American people so much, that any rumor of it or connection that someone or something had to it, panic would ensue. This was a time of great uncertainty, and Senator Joseph Raymond McCarthy saw this as the perfect opportunity to win the American peoples opinions and rally to his cause.
McCarthyism Webquest | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Step 1: Watch the video below and answer the Questions as you watch
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Step 2: HUAC Interviews
Watch the excerpts of the HUAC interviews below. Briefly describe each one. What kind of questions are they asked? How do each of the men respond?
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Step 3: Historical Readings
Reading #1
7. What state was Joseph McCarthy a Senator for?
8. What does the term "blacklisting" refer to?
9. Who ordered background checks of government officials in 1947? Did they find anything?
10. How many communists did McCarthy claim worked for the department of state?
11. Who were some other victims (organizations etc.) that McCarthyism had an effect on? What actions resulted from this attention?
Reading #2
12. According to Joseph McCarthy, why were Americans still threatened after the victory in World War II?
13. What evidence did McCarthy provide to argue that communism is a growing force around the world?
14. What were some examples of McCarthy's use of dramatic language?
Reading #3
15. What caused McCarthy's downfall?
16. What happened to McCarthy after his censure?
7. What state was Joseph McCarthy a Senator for?
8. What does the term "blacklisting" refer to?
9. Who ordered background checks of government officials in 1947? Did they find anything?
10. How many communists did McCarthy claim worked for the department of state?
11. Who were some other victims (organizations etc.) that McCarthyism had an effect on? What actions resulted from this attention?
Reading #2
12. According to Joseph McCarthy, why were Americans still threatened after the victory in World War II?
13. What evidence did McCarthy provide to argue that communism is a growing force around the world?
14. What were some examples of McCarthy's use of dramatic language?
Reading #3
15. What caused McCarthy's downfall?
16. What happened to McCarthy after his censure?
Step 4: Political Cartoons
Choose two of the political cartoons and explain its message as it relates to McCarthyism.
Step 5: Your Turn!
Now that you've researched McCarthy and the era surrounding him, imagine that YOU have been accused by Joe McCarthy as being a communist. How would you feel? Write a newspaper editorial OR poem OR draw a political cartoon based on what you feel it might be like to be subject to one of McCarthy's trials.