Alger Hiss
The Julius and Ethel Rosenberg cases were an enormous factor in increasing fear of Communism in the US , as well as the Alger Hiss case .
Red scare heightened suspicion of Communists and other radicals, and the fear of widespread infiltration of Communists in U.S. government.
Alger Hiss
Americans were shocked and scared in the 1950's and 1960's based on fear of communist infiltration. The government was watching anyone who they deemed communist or affiliated with any communist closely. This resulted in many people closing their mouths about political beliefs due to the fear of being questioned or watched.
How could the Domino Theory lead fear of Communism in Australia in the 1960's?
During the late 40's and into the 50's the fear of communism was rampant. It was thought as a great RED menace because of the red in flags of Russia and China. The fear of sly and covert infiltration into movies, journalism and writing would seduce the human mind without it knowing it was happening. In "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" the capturing of the humans was without their knowledge or willingness. When people in the captured nations of Russia and China were not followers of communism they remained as quiet and out of sight as did the ones in the movie.
Americans showed the fear of communism thorough the McCarthy trials. The trials tried many innocent people for fear they supported communism. Students practiced duck and cover drills in case of raids.
The fear of communism in the United States reached significant proportions during the early to mid-20th century due to a combination of historical events and societal tensions. Key events, such as the Russian Revolution of 1917, the rise of communist movements globally, and the Cold War, intensified fears of a communist takeover. Additionally, domestic incidents like the Palmer Raids and the Red Scare heightened paranoia about communist infiltration in American society. This atmosphere of fear was further fueled by propaganda and the portrayal of communism as a direct threat to American values and democracy.
America was actively fighting Communism as early as 1919 in the Russian Civil War. The fear of communism does not stem from the Soviet Union, it stems from what communism represents. There was no great event that started the fear of communism, made clear by the fact that in 1919 the Bolsheviks were yet to actually do that many great evils.
Communism
The Red Scare