Sparked by an increase in communist sympathies during the Great Depression due to upset over the failure of the democratic system to assist its people in difficult times, American fear of communism reached its high point during the 1940s and 1950s. Fear of communist subversion, often called the Red Scare, reached all areas of society and resulted in paranoia throughout the United States, exemplified through both actions and events.
The McCarthy hearings, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, capitalized on the overwhelming hysteria encapsulating the United States when McCarthy claimed he had the names of communists in the government. Built on a series of lies and exaggerations, McCarthy proceeded to interrogate innocent government officials and
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She journeys to Russia in her fourth book, entitled Eloise in Moscow, published in 1959. Throughout the book, Eloise comments on her experiences, often exemplifying anti-communist sentiment. For example, Eloise comments on being careful about what you say or else “they” will come and arrest you. This reflects the strong fear of police in communist Russia and the cruel punishment that often ensued. Furthermore, when Eloise and Nanny take a tour of Moscow, the tour guide differentiates the things that are and are not possible in communist Russia, mirroring the clear rules and goals present in communist Russia. Eloise in Moscow also reflects the shortages of nonessential items, such as TVs and cars, when Nanny and Eloise go to the store and fail to find what they are looking for. Eloise also explains that the Siberian tigers were all sold out, an example of a lack of nonessential items in communist Russia. Reading Eloise in Moscow impacts how many children view Russia from a young age by encouraging a fear, as well as resulting hysteria, of Russia and its communist ways. Instead of capitalizing on the apparent oddity of communism compared to capitalism, I feel children’s books should encourage inclusivity of diverse ideas, rather than fear of different