Post Ww2 Dbq Essay

During the WWII, post WWII, and Cold War era throughout the 20th century, the United States of America was faced with many domestic and foreign conflicts. It was a time of change, action, and movements. Amidst the conflicts, the US was forced to make very controversial decisions. Through its government, the United States acted on these many problems and affected the quality of life of the people. Unfortunately, with these decisions made, the US failed to promote the liberty, equality, and justice for its citizens and the people of the world. It broke the values of democracy upon which the country was built with examples including japanese internment, WWII, the Red Scare policies, and segregation.

Firstly, With the House of Un-American Activities

The internment of Japanese-Americans in the US was completely unjust and violated the constitutional rights of many. It classified the Japanese as ‘dangerous aliens’ as they were unrightfully sent sent from their homes to militarized locations under fear of espionage during WWII. ”The American Friends Service Committee (a Quaker group), and the Japanese-American community—countered that singling out a particular group for internment was an unconstitutional infringement of their liberty” (Japanese-American Internment). There were legal organizations against the interment under the proof that it was unconstitutional. This included American citizens targeted by their own government because of their ethnicities. Secondly, the US failed to promote freedom with McCarthyism. It was started by Senator Joseph McCarthy as a ‘witch hunt’ against Communism in the government. It consisted of strong accusations made under very slim evidence or none at all. The freedom of innocent people was threatened as they were brought and held in court under solely suspicions of Communist affiliations. It was unjust, as there was no solid evidence for prosecution. “Senator Joseph McCarthy

McCarthy, who used doctored photographs and false documents, was eventually censored for his actions” (Nixon, McCarthyism Address). In this speech, president Nixon described how McCarthyism actually destroyed the careers and lives of many. They were accused and legally attacked by a corrupt senator who was found to create false evidence. Many of the victims were innocent men, abandoned by the US government and left helpless. The government did not act to protect them. During the Second Red Scare in the United States, a congressional committee was formed known as the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). This group carried the sole purpose of looking into and eliminating pro-communist activities in the movie and film industry, the government, companies, and organizations. Similar to McCarthyism, it made accusations against hundreds without any legal evidence or proof. The party also attacked those who opposed their political views in government. “Furthermore, the hearings routinely punished liberals and leftists who