Anticommunism and Mccarthyism, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Anticommunism was a term used to oppose the communist ideologies and policies whether it was on theoretical or practical platform that had spread after the Second World War. Many people in America opposed communism from different perspective. For example, the liberals and conservatives opposed it because of socialism which they believed was based on false arguments. Many anticommunists like George Orwell believed that communism brought about violation of human rights in the sense that there is no individual democracy and freedom.

The term McCarthyism was used to explain the disloyal accusations with no tangible evidence against the other party or political rival.  McCarthyism was the period of heightened anticommunism crusade in America. It was also known as the second red scare that took place between 1947 and 1954 at the time when the united states of Americas government embarked on a plan of political repression of the communist party in the united states. During this time, the United States of America was struggling to suppress radical and rebellious elements that were being controlled by Soviet Union. These elements were viewed by conservative America citizens as a thread to security and peace of their country.

Differences between anticommunism and McCarthyism

Anticommunism is a strong belief that communist ideas are bad and harmful therefore they should be repelled at all possible cost. Since it is a belief, it states that communism is wrong whether democratically chosen or attaining superiority by winning war. Anticommunism can be practiced by anybody in any country. On the other, McCarthyism was political ideology that was practiced in one specific country, the United States of America that took place at a certain time.

According to the New York Times, anticommunism in America was a monolithic association. Anticommunist ideologies sprawled from trade unions, interest groups, political parties to board room meetings. There were two different groups of anticommunism, the responsible and irresponsible groups that had different ambitions and teachings. It has been argued that the irresponsible group was led by Senator Joseph McCarthy who used disloyal oaths to American citizens. McCarthyism gave America a demagogic face because its proponents held no illusions about American people yet they still defended it. Senator McCarthy used anticommunism to satisfy his own personal ego and aims at the expense of the country stating that for one to be linked to communism then at one time one was a communist.

McCarthyism was in one way a form of scare idea to the communist since it stated that if in any case, a communist was in government, there was complete lack of trust to the government. This idea led to many people being put behind bars.

Perspective of the media on anticommunism and McCarthyism

Media fraternity in United States of America took the issue of anticommunism and McCarthyism serious as it was focused to keep every American citizen to what was happening at that time. Hollywood film stars like Reyland Humphreys wrote and produced movies basing their themes on anticommunism and McCarthyism which brought many American to limelight on ideologies of these two groups. Media aired every event on television throughout America. On other hand, the communist members in the film industry still perpetuated the communist ideologies. More importantly it is stated that the media was biased during the airing of the events that were taking place in America at this time. For instance, those who opposed the economic and political status quo brought about complex issues in the media industry.  Some members left the film industry due to disagreements with their opponents.

America’s foreign policy decisions impacted by anticommunism

The major policies included the Marshall Plan and Truman doctrine. The Marshall plan made it possible for billions of shillings to be channeled to Western Europe to assist in rebuilding the countries that had been adversely affected by world war two. However, the Truman doctrine also channeled more money to turkey and Greece in order to keep their economy strong and help them resist the communist ideas. Also, America wars with Korea and Vietnam determined who could have control over Asia.

How the Americas lives changed because of the red scare

The red scare is the time when there were heightened anticommunism sentiments. Between 1940s and 1950s, news circulated throughout America that caught public attention about persecution and trial of some individuals for espionage. These people were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg who were believed to have passed the atomic bomb secrets to foreign powers.

These events were seen by majority of Americans as thread to their national security as they were at brink of being attacked by Soviet Union and the growing of communist party of United States. Evidence showed that some United States of America top government officials were working with the Soviet Union at the time of Second World War.

Joseph McCarthy who was a strong anticommunist claimed that there many communist in the federal government who were working with the Soviet Union to bring United States of America down. During this time of red scare, there were heightened tensions among the citizens of America of impending attacks from Soviet Union. In addition, the red scare made the federal government to invest million of money in military in order to guarantee its citizens of security.  More so, during the time of red scare, most American people lived in fear and suspicion this made them to be more aggressive and watchful.

Conclusion

Anticommunism and McCarthyism were major events that changed the lives of the American people at the time when their national security was at thread. More so, these events put to oppressive ideologies that were being spread by the communists under the leadership of Soviet Union.

 References

Broadwater, J. (2009). Eisenhover and Anticommunist Crusade. New York: University of North Carolina Press.

Daniel, J. (1946, November, 12). Communists and Radicals in Local Unions. Los Angel’s times retrieved  from http://www.latimes.com

Greenberg, D. (1950, October, 31). Washington Gone Crazy. Nativist Son. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.newyork times.com

Cannon,P.(1948,October,15). Socialism on Trial. The official Court Record. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com