The Effects Of The Mccarthy Witch Trials On Society

‘What was the effect of the McCarthy ‘witch trials’ on American Society?’

The McCarthy trials were implemented throughout America during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s to eradicate the threat of communism from within American society. The unconstitutional arrests compromising the first amendment, creation of paranoia and the suppression of creativity have led to debates among historians about whether people were safer or if the regime caused the splintering of society.

“The practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially pro-Communist activity ... unsupported by proof or based on slight or irrelevant evidence” (Dictionary.com, 2017) has become known as McCarthyism. This became a forefront tactic lead by Senator McCarthy to remove

Those working within Hollywood became targets, accused of surreptitiously publishing Communist propaganda within their work that could ‘poison’ the minds of those watching at home (RedScare Propaganda, 1950). Hollywood became the next in a list of many targeted groups after the HAUC made a claim in 1938 that “Hollywood was pervasive with Communism” (History.com, 2017). Those who were investigated ultimately met the fate of the Hollywood blacklist, meaning they would no longer be able to do credible work in the industry, costing hundreds of families their livelihoods and reputations. The most famous of those questioned became known as the Hollywood ten after they refused to comply with the subpoena and answer questions regarding their association with the Communist Party (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017). Dalton Trumbo, the most famous of the ten called the trials “the beginning of the American concentration camp … with no man so low or foul as a Communist and anyone holding slightly leftist views suspect” (Trumbo, 2014). Trumbo specifically became the figurehead of the group, despite having no Communist affiliations as he ended the blacklist in 1960 after convincing the directors of both Exodus and Spartacus to credit him with the title of screenwriter (Telegraph, 2015), however, many of those blacklisted never worked in the industry

Oppenheimer throughout his career had been met with scrutiny for his previously left wing views, however, he was considered too important to be ousted over such affiliations. In 1943, he was deemed to be granted “clearance without delay, irrespective of any information you have. He is absolutely essential to the project” (Groves, 1975). Despite his achievements forwarding the progress against the Soviet Union with McCarthyism reaching its apex, the time was particularly importune for his personal connections to those within the Communist party and his stances on the American nuclear policy to come to light (www.atomicheritage.org, 2014). The controversial loss of Oppenheimer’s clearance after his services to America dubbed him a martyr to McCarthyism (www.atomicheritage.org, 2014), however this was another nail in McCarthy’s coffin causing further doubts into his capabilities and motives, was he acting in the interest of the country or had it become a quest for the cult of