Red Scare: The Era Of Mass Hysteria

Austin Storie

Mrs. Call

American Literature

January 31, 2016

Red Scare: The Era of Mass Hysteria
Imagine being disowned from your family, losing your job, and facing jail time over an untrue rumor. That situation may seem farfetched, but it was a reality for some during the Red Scare. While government action during the Red Scare was intended to protect democracy, it did more harm than good.
Seeing Red: What Exactly was the Red Scare?
The Red Scare was the nationwide hysteria the United States of America had towards communism. Being defined as an economic and/or social totalitarian state, communism could be considered the exact opposite of democracy. The “Red” in Red Scare is a reference to the red Soviet, a communist power-house, flag.

During this time, the Communist Party emerged, as well as anarchists. While the first Red Scare was not as large as its successor, it did lay the groundwork for some of the stigmas that heightened during the second Red Scare.
The Red Hunters: People and Organizations Responsible for Uncovering Communists
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States. During his time in office, Truman was given the task of suppressing the perceived communist uprising within the country. While he was not the only president to take office during the Cold War/Red Scare, his actions were regarded as very controversial.
One of these acts was Truman’s Executive Order 9835. Names the Loyalty Order, this order prompted the loyalty testing of all federal employees. Those who were deemed disloyal were terminated from their positions. Some employees even voluntarily resigned in light of the investigations.
Another precaution taken by President Truman was the Truman Doctrine. Created March 12, 1947, the Truman Doctrine gave aid to Greece and Turkey. Fearing they would fall under Soviet influence, Truman wanted to supply them monetary and military help. In response to the Truman Doctrine, Congress granted $400,000,000 to the

United States
It might seem unrealistic that people and organizations, working under conspiracies with little evidence, convicted and/or American citizens. The case of Dennis v. United States sheds some light on that question. The 1951 Supreme Court Case ruled that free-speech rights could be restricted for accused communists. This ruling made it difficult for citizens to clear their names, causing them to fear speaking out. It’s possible that this decision sent innocent people into hiding, jail, or even to death.
Caught Red-handed: Notable Stories of Those Prosecuted, Blacklisted, and Hunted During the Red Scare
One of the many people hunted during the Red Scare was B.J. Mangoang. A Communist Party member, Mangoang went underground during the early 1950’s. She later went into hiding in Spokane, Washington. When questioned by the HUAC in 1954, Mangoang pled the Fifth. From 1976 to 2001, B.J. Mangoang served as Chair of Washington State Communist Party.
One of the most controversial duos of the Red Scare were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Perhaps as infamous of a couple as Bonnie and Clyde, the Rosenbergs were married in 1939. Active Communist Party members, Ethel and Julius were under the eyes of many “Red Hunters.” Julius was in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.; he used that position to disclose military secrets to the USSR. Ethel’s brother, Sgt. David Greenglass was a machinist to the Manhattan Projects, where he gave the couple nuclear weapon