"McCarthyism had little affect on domestic policies 1950-54"

"McCarthyism had little affect on domestic policies 1950-54"

1. Impact on Trade Unions

   • Under the pressure of McCarthyism they became pressure groups and dropped pressure for change.
     • They were targeted as communist as they are socialist leaning.
       • Officials were required to take an oath.
         • There were less strikes so workers rights were sacrificed out of fear.
           • Suggests large impact due to fear communist accusation.

2. Impact on State Department.

   • Any politician with a hint of a radical agenda was accused of being a communist.
     • McCarthy gave the "Wheeling speech" accusing 205 officials as having communist connections and was reduced to 57.
       • Many key officials in the State Department lost their jobs.
         • This would have a big impact on foreign policy
           • Lots of expertise was lost.
             • Many people were blacklisted from companies, in New York alone 300 teachers lost their jobs.
               • Large affect because hundreds jobs lost - highlights the atmosphere of paranoia

3. Impact on Truman and Eisenhowers policy areas (LEGAL IMPACT)

   • 1952 = McCarran Internal Security Act
     • 1954 = Communist Control Act
       • Suggests a large impact of Truman + Eis. domestic policy as legal acts against the spread and influence of communism
         • Undermining public political freedom
   • CONTRAST
     • Several liberal/socialist policies throughout presidencies
       • Civil Rights = CGCC Executive Order, 1951
         • Increase minimum wage by 25%
           • Eis appointment of Earl Warren to Supreme Court = made court more liberal
             • Despite red scare, still several left wing policies past
               • McCarthyism didn't have a large enough impact on other domestic policy decisions
   • Politicians were cautious when creating policies due to red scare
     • Suggests McCarthy impact
       • Presidents couldn't introduce any 'radical' domestic policies
         • LINK to joss losses in the State Department

4. Social Impact

   • McCarthy's Downfall
     • Can't have had a large impact if resulted in loss of all influence by 1954
       • e.g. approval ratings slumped from 50% to 35% by end of '54
         • Loss in public interest and Communist hysteria
   • Throughout 1950-54 large Communist hysteria and red scare
     • Hunt for Spies
       • Rosenburgs executed in 1953
         • Alger Hiss imprisoned for 5 years due to treason (during 1930s)
           • Karl Fuchs (who named other Spies and so on)
             • Highlights the impact McCarthyism had on paranoia
   • Election of Eisenhower in 1952 = Republican
     • Democrats had been in power for 20 years previous SO large change
       • Red scare encouraged a more right wing outlook
         • VP Nixon = strong stance against communism
           • Encourage public vote

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