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Communism was threatening to Americans post World War II because its foundation contradicted the

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Communism was threatening to Americans post World War II because its foundation contradicted the ideology of democracy and capitalism that perpetuated the Western world for so long. Whether it was foreign policy, democracy in action, or the red scare that happened right here at home, anti-communism sentiment was permeated almost all aspects of American life from the war’s end to nearly the end of the century.
The Communist threat started twenty years before World War II when Stalin took control over Russia so rapidly with an ideology that was built upon coercion and control. Eventually the USSR would grow into a powerful nation that was deemed a threat to the balance of world power. With the outbreak of war in Europe, a temporary alliance …show more content…

This would be one of the earliest instances where any liberal sentiment towards communism would not be tolerated and it would not end there. When Truman advocated aiding Greece during their civil war, he made sure to underline the main reasons were to ensure democracy not communism would be the only acceptable way of living and since “There is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn”, America had to save the day. As the years went on, developments in Korea and China went in a way that was not planned. Stalin however saw everything coming together and believed America was losing ground. “They are trying to offset these difficulties with the "Marshall plan," the war in Korea, frantic rearmament, and industrial militarization. But that is very much like a drowning man clutching at a straw” (Stalin). While statements like this gave the USSR a boost, it gave America a sense that their national security was faltering and in turn any domestic reassurance was in limited supply.

The Red Scare dominated America beginning in 1947 with the Iron Curtain, Berlin Blockade, and many others. In all these instances, people feared about national security both with the situation abroad and right at home as well. When the Soviets successfully detonated an atomic bomb, it coincided with China becoming another Communist threat and widespread hysteria in America. Anyone that spoke or acted out differently was labeled a communist. A great example was

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