CS #25 - The Second Red Scare and McCarthyism

​The United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged as the two strongest powers in international affairs. Ideologically opposed, they challenged one another in a series of confrontations known as the Cold War. The costs of this prolonged contest weakened the USSR so that it collapsed due to internal upheavals as well as American pressure. The Cold War had social and political implications in the United States. (Enduring Understanding)

The Second Red Scare and McCarthyism reflected Cold War fears in American society. (Content Standard)

​In 1953, changes in political leadership on both sides shifted the dynamic of the Cold War. Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated president that January. During the last 18 months of the Truman administration, the American defense budget had quadrupled, and Eisenhower moved to reduce military spending by a third while continuing to fight the Cold War effectively.

Multiple Choice

What was a common factor in the United States that caused the Red Scare following World War I and McCarthyism following World War II?

• the counterculture movement

• fear of communist expansion

• signs of economic downturn

• racial tension in major cities

Multiple Choice

All of the following people can be associated with the Cold War of the 1950’s EXCEPT

• Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Nikita Khrushchev

• Franklin D. Roosevelt

• John Foster Dulles

Multiple Choice

In 1956 the Cold War had the possibility of turning into a Hot War during the 

• Hungarian Revolution

• Cuban Missile Crisis

• Detente Cooling Period

• collapse of the Soviet Union

Multiple Choice

Senator Joseph McCarthy played on fears of subversion with his charges of communists infiltrating

• the U.S. government

• U.S. churches

• major U.S. corporations 

• professional sports teams

Multiple Choice

The investigations of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) prompted employers to blacklist suspected ______________, including actors and writers.

• capitalists

• anarchists

• communists

• fans of the Regular Show

Multiple Choice

The McCarthy hearings and House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigations held the attention of the American people through the middle 

• 1930s

• 1940s

• 1950s

• 1960s

Multiple Choice

Like the first Red Scare following World War I, the second Red Scare challenged 

• key capitalists

• the President

• China 

• civil liberties