What was the cause and effects of the new red scare?

Answer 1

The New Red Scare, primarily occurring in the late 1940s and early 1950s, was driven by fears of communism following World War II, heightened by the Soviet Union's nuclear advancements and the spread of communist influence globally. This led to widespread paranoia in the United States, resulting in aggressive government actions such as loyalty oaths, blacklisting, and the McCarthy hearings, where many individuals were accused of communist affiliations without substantial evidence. The effects included a culture of fear and repression, significant violations of civil liberties, and a lasting impact on American politics and society, fostering distrust and division. This period shaped U.S. foreign and domestic policies for decades, emphasizing anti-communism as a core national ethos.