American Anti Communism : Combating The Enemy Within

During the cold war, the United States engaged in many aggressive policies both at home and abroad, in which to fight communism and the spread of communist ideas. Faced with a new challenge and new global responsibilities the U.S. needed to retain what it had fought so strongly for in World War II. It needed to contain the communist ideas pouring from the Soviet Union while preventing communist influence at home, without triggering World War III. With the policies of containment, McCarthyism, and brinkmanship, the United States hoped to effectively stop the spread of communism and their newest threat, the Soviet Union.

of the US in the early years of the Cold war. The policy was to defeat

The late 1940′s were a time when much change happened to the American society. As a result to the expanding threat of the Soviet Union, or its Communistic ideals, America took a stand that lead it to the Cold War.  Although the war didn’t involve fighting directly with Russia, it still affected the American society and domestic policy. The war affected America so much that it lead to a fear of livelihood; precisely when Joseph McCarthy began his “witch hunt”. The Cold war lead to an enlarged fear of nuclear war; as well, it affected many of the domestic policies.

Communism has resulted in a poor quality of life, poor economy, and oppression of its people. In order to retain power, communist countries have needed to remove civil dissent and would result in imprisonment or murder of its citizens (Williams). In fact, more than sixty five million people were murdered by the USSR, nearly thirty five million were murdered by Communist China, and a number of Southeast Asian and Eastern European countries account for ninety seven million murders (Williams). The U.S which was founded on capitalism and free markets, protection of private property, and protection of individual rights has developed policies to oppose the spread of worldwide communism (Hughes). Consequently, the U.S has engaged directly in military

Immediately after World War II, another war emerged from the horizon. The Cold War, a battle for both political and military superiority between the Soviet Union and the United States, began soon after World War II, with Vietnam as a central issue. Vietnam, bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia, became a colony of the French in the late 1800s, who exploited the locals for raw material, such as tin, rubber, and oil. They justified imperialism by insisting that they were protecting the Vietnamese and held power over Indochina until World War II. Desperate for resources, the Japanese conquered Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, for raw materials during World War II. While the French did naught, Ho Chi Minh took advantage of the political

During the 1950’s, Communism was a major fear that Democratic nations such as America were afraid of because of its radical ideas. The actions taken due to the Red Scare and the rise of McCarthyism were necessary and completely justified to protect America’s freedom and government from Communist power. With an increase of Communistic nations invading other countries and forcing their ideas upon them there was an uproar of fear in the United States. The Domino Theory was a legitimate fear of if one nation falling to communism, every nation around it would fall as well. Focusing their attention to VIetnam especially, America increased military control in these regions. Multiple Legislative actions taken by the United States such as the creation of the HAUC and the Espionage and Sedition acts were necessary to stop threats to America’s freedom. The heated tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War contributed to the fear of an attack from the East. Senator McCarthy’s convincing accusations lead to many accurate accusations as well as the rise of McCarthyism. Valid points were brought up about president Roosevelt’s New Deal policies of having capitalistic characteristics. While some actions did take away the civil liberties of some Americans, and were not always accurate, they were necessary to protect American Democracy, as well as the safety of the citizens.

Post World War 1 there was a manifestation of Communist influence in the United States. The influence began forming itself in 1919. There was a division within the country between those who followed the beliefs of Communism and those who were against it. However the majority of Americans were against Communism and the spread of it. In J.Edgar Hoover’s testimony before the HUAC,

One of the Cold War’s most prominent is The Ugly American. Written in 1958, this book was a best seller, filled with different stories about why communism was winning and what must be done about it. The authors of the book The Ugly American used one main argument for its readers: “communism is a monolithic enemy whose fundamental values challenged those of the United States and whose ultimate goal was world domination.” (page 4) There stories were one of main forces driving people like Kennedy and Johnson to go and “save” Vietnam from

Of the factors which shaped American society in the Cold War era, the fear of communism and its potential to spread imposed the greatest effect upon the United States. From the worldwide devastation of World War II arose two powers: United States of America, fueled by a capitalist economy, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR, whose economy embodied the communist ideals of Karl Marx. Marx himself stated, “Communism is already acknowledged by all...powers to be in itself a power”. Marx predicted the power of a communistic society well before the first World War began. In the wake of the devastation

During 1919-1920, the United States of America was in an uproar. The government thought the Red Scare which was the government of communism in Russia was going to take over the government of the United States of America. If you showed in interest in the government of communism, you may be considering as an immigrant. You may have somebody from the government come to your house asking you questions or even worse you may throw you in prison. This was a nary terrible to be an American citizen. Your loyalty was always being question. You had to watch what you say, especially, in public, because the government had a way of taking your words and twisting them and make you say what you really did not say. People were constantly living in fear. Parents

“In 1917 an anti-communist Red Scare gripped the United States (“Communist”).” Without a doubt the most important event in the U.S. battle against Communism was when America’s worst nightmare came true and Communism was invading the U.S. This event is known as the Red Scare. The Red Scare was a result of a popularity grab from U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. He was trying to gain attention from the U.S. during his campaign. “On February 9, 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy made an announcement that he had a list of the members of the communist party” (“Communism”). This definitely got him the attention he desired as well as put the spotlight on him to share the list with America and end the terror. He proceeded to name names of people he was running against in election. He was very manipulative at removing the other candidates in election, but sadly he was not telling the truth. “By the end of the 1950s, the American public doubted McCarthy’s reliability and with a few court decisions these witch hunts came to an end” (“Communism”). This event took the U.S. by surprise. It showed them a glimpse of what it would look like if it were invaded by

Communism played a major role shaping the 20th century, both for the East and the United States. Its impact can be seen in the US from 1919 to the 1990s and even today. The spread of Communist ideals in the East meant the beginning of the socialist state and mass industrialization. Its effect on the US was much different. The United States people, heavily diversified of all races, religions, and financial statuses, became extremely jingoistic as a result of competition with the USSR. This nationalism became unhealthy as citizens began determining what was “un-American.” The Communist Party USA was not successful in their primary objective of spreading communism to the US. What they did achieve however was hugely important. They showed that citizens of the United States could be scared out of their own freedom. That fear would lead them to give up “liberty and justice for all”. Still a highly misunderstood idea, it is important for citizens of the United States to understand what communism is and what impact the CPUSA and other communist organizations had on the country.

Hmm...did communism pose a threat to america? Let me begin by telling you about communism.

American anticommunism stems from a history of fear, and want of control over individuals, and groups of people who are defined as “others”. In this case “others”, is a term attributed to American citizens who were a part of, or held any relation or affiliation with the American Communist Party. Before them, it was immigrants; and before them it was African Americans, and Native Americans (Schrecker, 13). This fear and want of control over the American Communist Party, which immediately started after WWI in America, during the Red Scare of 1919-20; was used by the Republican and Democratic Parties, and their constituents, to gain and hold support in the United States government, and to attempt to shape American domestic and foreign policy

Our federal government involvement with communism during the mid-1950s is what made the Communist threat such a big concern or obsession for the general public. Between the 1940s and 1950s, almost every government agency was on a crusade against Communists. Although the name for this phenomenon was taken from Senator McCarthy, McCarthy wasn’t the one that held the most influence in the development of McCarthyism. It was the executive branch of the government. This branch brought up concerns about national security and built the foundation for the anti-Communist campaign to operate on. The main reason for this was to gain support for the Cold War and obtain bipartisan backing for foreign policy. Truman and his administration were worried that