In the 1950s, the United States was “bitter enemies” with the Soviet Union.  The two super-powers were in the midst of a Cold War.  Communism seized all the power away from the people and gave it entirely to the government.[1]  Communism was “a dictatorship based on total state control of the economy and the suppression of any form of opposition.”[2] Considering that the United States is based on freedom and the voice of the people, Communism was a great threat to the American way of life.

With Communism on the rise, the United States was in fear of losing their freedom to this new way of life.  Communism was overpowering countries such as Poland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France and the United states believed that this would form a domino effect that would eventually reach the United States.  At this time of despair, the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) had the sole purpose of defending the United States from Communism.  A prominent member of this committee was Senator Joseph McCarthy.[3] 

McCarthy and his committee charged many citizens for being un-American and participating in the Communist Party.  These charged citizens include: Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Doris Day, Annette Funicello Alger Hiss, and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, They were put on trial for these frequently false accusations.  During the trials, they were forced to confess to Communist actions, to show penitence, and to hand over names of those who are actively participating in the Communist Party.[4] 

Just like the Salem Witch Trials, no one was safe from these accusations. Most of the pressure was heaved onto the entertainment industry.  After all, their industry has great persuasion over the minds of the American public.  Many actors, playwrights, and directors were accused of spreading Communist views around the country and being part of the Communist Party.

Around 150 people eventually went to prison and countless careers were ruined because of Senator McCarthy and his committee.  This horrendous time in history can show again the effects of fear and hysteria on a society.  At the time, Communism was an enormous threat and the steps taken to prevent it were justified.  However, looking back, there was a great deal of over-reaction and injustice engulfing the United States.[5]

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