Procedures

• WARM-UP:

  Have the students answer the following question before beginning the lesson.

  • What events led to the Cold War?
  • Explain the differences between democratic and communist governments?

• INTRODUCTION:

  Review the students' responses and correct any misconceptions about the Cold War and communism. Ensure that the students understand the following vocabulary terms and concepts before

  • Blacklist
  • Communism
  • Espionage
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Soviet Union

• EXPLORATION:

  Have the students view each of the video and answer the questions below and on the Red Scare and McCarthyism handout.

  Video Clip: The Rosenberg Trial (1:17)

  • Explain the charges that Ethel and Julius Rosenberg faced. What was the result of this?

  Video Clip: The Red Scare and Nuclear Scientists (3:06)

  • Explain the backlash that scientists faced during the Red Scare.
  • What were the problems with this backlash?
  • How did President Truman describe this problem?

  Video Clip: Hollywood and the House Un-American Activities Committee (3:59)

  • Who were the "Hollywood Ten" and what were they accused of doing in the House Un-American Activities Committee?
  • What argument did the "Hollywood Ten" give in their defense?
  • What was the result of the "Hollywood Ten" refusing to testify?
  • Explain what is meant by "blacklisted."

  Video Clip: The Historical Background of McCarthyism (2:59)

  • How does Ms. Brennan describe Senator Joe McCarthy?
  • Describe the political context for Senator McCarthy's speech.
  • What was the general view of communism in the 1940s and 1950s? What specific events led to this?

  Video Clip: Senator Joe McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" Speech (3:33)

  • What was the historical context of Senator McCarthy's speech?
  • Explain the major charge that Senator McCarthy's speech presented.
  • How did Senator McCarthy's claims spread?
  • Why did the number of people on the list change?

  Video Clip: ACLU Co-Founder Arthur Garfield Hays on McCarthyism (2:18)

  • Explain Mr. Hays's arguments that the communist influence in other countries is different than in the United States.
  • According to Mr. Hays, what is the problem with this search for communists?

  Video Clip: McCarthy and the Senate Hearings (5:32)

  • How did the election of 1952 increase the power of Senator McCarthy?
  • What tactics did Senator McCarthy use during the Senate committee hearing?
  • Describe who McCarthy targeted during this period.
  • How did the public's opinion of Joseph McCarthy charge during these hearings?
  • Explain the decline in Senator McCarthy's influence and power.

• APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT:

  After reviewing the students' answers, have the students debate or write a written response to the following prompt.

  • Describe the rationale for the Red Scare and McCarthyism. Did the government act appropriately during this time? Support your response with specific examples.

• EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

  Witch-Hunts- Use the following Merriam-Webster definition of a "Witch-Hunt:" "The searching out and deliberate harassment of those (such as political opponents) with unpopular views."

  • Using this definition and the information in the lesson, do you consider the events during the Red Scare and McCarthyism a "witch-hunt?"

  Modern-Day Comparisons- Research recent events and actions that have been described as witch-hunts. Compare those actions to the Red Scare and McCarthyism.

  Additional Writing Prompts-

  • Do you think something like the Red Scare could happen again?
  • How should the United States balance individual freedoms with national security?
  • How should the government have responded to the threat of Soviet spies and communist influence during the Red Scare?