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The Espionage Act
The Espionage Act was passed at the time of the First Red Scare. Fear of communism was rising with the forthcoming Russian Revolution. The Espionage Act made it a crime to express any support for enemies of the United States or put forth any intent to interfere with United States military operations. This is significant because it restricted the Constitutional rights of Americans. -
The Sedition Act
This was an addition to the already existing Espionage Act. This made the anti-American offenses more specific. It was punishable by jail/fine to speak out against the war effort in any way. This included verbally insulting the government or Constitution. This was a significant restriction of Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression. Many believe violations of this act are why Sacco and Vanzetti were treated as they were, although they were not officially charged in relation. -
Women in the Red Scare
On this day, an elaborate spider-web style chart was published in the Dearborn Independent newspaper. It accused many leading women's rights organizations and activists of having communist ties. It was found that the source of this publication came from inside the government. Women had just recently gained the right to vote, but they were still considered "radical" activists by many. All kinds of activists were pinned as communists at the time of the Red Scare. -
The Sacco and Vanzetti Case
On this day, Sacco and Vanzetti were executed after a very controversial trial. They were Italian immigrants and openly opposed to government practice. They were outspoken anarchists. However, many felt that they were arrested only due to their immigrant status/political views. They were arrested in connection with a robbery and murder, but the evidence was mainly circumstantial. People all over the world protested this execution, feeling that these men received unfair treatment. -
The Hollywood Ten
In 1947, several leading Hollywood producers were required to appear before the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) as part of an investigation into suspected communist activity in the film industry. Ten of those being questioned challenged the committee's line of questioning, citing their Constitutional rights they they felt were being infringed upon. Some were admittedly communist, but they felt it was theri right to be if they wanted. They were blacklisted from Hollywood. -
The Truman Doctrine
Before a joint session of Congress, President Harry Truman made a speech that came to be known as "The Truman Doctrine." The main premise of this doctrine explained Truman's vision for military intervention around the world in order to combat the spread of communism. This shows that the impact of the Red Scare was not limited to domestic issues. Some of the places the United States became involved are Korea and Vietnam. -
Civil Rights and the Red Scare
Many civil rights activists were targeted during the Red Scare. Those with political beliefs that were believed to be "left of center" were considered threats as possible communists. The director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, became consumed by anti-communism hysteria. He opened up an investigation into Martin Luther King, Jr. He was wiretapped, publicly discredited, and embarrassed by the FBI. This was damaging to the African American Civil Rights movement. -
The Rise of McCarthyism
Appearing at a Lincoln Day dinner event as a guest speaker in Wheeling, West Virginia, newly elected Senator Joe McCarthy gave what came to be known as his "Enemies Within" speech. He held up a list of names that contained several government officials who were alleged tied to the Communist Party. These claims made waves in the American public, and had many dangerous consequences as people were losing their jobs as the result of unsubstantiated claims. McCarthy's name became one with witch-hunts. -
Cultural Impact - Cincinnati Redlegs
The spread of McCarthyism did not stop in the realm of politics. At the beginning of the 1953 season, the Cincinnati Reds announced that they would like to be referred to as the "Cincinnati Redlegs" from that point forward. "Red" was a term used to describe communists. In an effort to distance itself from this negative connotation, the organization officially changed its name. Also, the team adopted the color blue as part of their uniforms! -
Executive Order 10450
On this day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450 into law. This order detailed new requirements for hiring people into government positions, including tedious background checks. If anyone was suspected of any association with the Communist Party, they would not be hired. This included people who belonged to "suspect" groups. Homosexual Americans were significantly targeted as a result of this Executive Order.
