[ladypig]

Hello,
I have a history GCSE exam tomorrow on America 1941-1980 and was wondering what type of questions would be best to mention the cold war in? (Am I right in thinking McCarthyism?)
Thanks for your help!

[Mr Field]

The Cold War will obviously have relevance in many of your questions, but yes the topic of McCarthyism, relating to the paranoid fear of Communism is where the Cold War has most relevance.

What I would say is that the course (if it is the EdExcel one) is focused upon American society, rather than the Cold War (the relationship between the two super-powers - America and the USSR). Thus you would only really mention the Cold War as a background issue rather than a major issue.

If you are doing this topic, don't miss the practice paper exercise I created at: http://www.schoolhis.../practicepaper/

[S-M-A-R-T-I-E-S]

Hiya!!
I have an essay question to do called: 'Why did the fear of communism rise in the USA between 1945-1953?' I have no idea where to start and i don't even understand how it links in with the topic of McCarthyism and The Red Scare. Can someone please help me, i'll really appreciate it!
Thanks

[MrJohnDClare]

It all links into the Cold War - http://www.johndclar.../cold_war12.htm

[S-M-A-R-T-I-E-S]

i had a look at the weblink but i still don't understand. We have not learnt anything about the cold war at all so i don't think the teacher is expecting us to include any information about it in the essay. He said there are about 6 main points to include and i think these might be:
1. Hollywood Ten
2. Hiss case
3. Rosenbergs Case
4. FEDC
5. Mc Carthyism
and something else as we have looked at these issues in quite some detail however i am not sure how they link in with the essay question. Can someone please help me!

[MrJohnDClare]

Hmmm.
'Why did the fear of communism rise in the USA between 1945-1953?'
Certainly McCarthyism is a cause, as it led directly to the 'witch-hunt'.
Also, I think the effect of the trials of individuals such as the Hollywood Ten, Hiss and the Rosenbergs will have had the effect of publicising the presence of communists in America society.

However, I do not think you can possibly explain the fear of communism wthout reference to the Cold War, and the events of the years leading up to the early 1950s - the Berlin Blockade, the USSR getting the A-bomb, China turning Communist and the Korean War. It was the Cold War which made the Americans believe that they way of life was under threat, and this led to the move to 'weed out' the 'Communist menace' within.

I would also mention propaganda. Films such as Red Nightmare, and government information pieces such as Duck and Cover all conditioned people to believe that they were in real danger of the communists taking over. Some people believe that spy films such as James Bond, the UFO scare and even aliens films such as Them also operated to add to people's fear of invasion by 'others', and added o the fear of communism.

[Thích Quảng Đức]

Thanks, this is exactly what my class is revising at the moment.

[S-M-A-R-T-I-E-S]

Thanks for all your help! Just to let you know i have handed in my essay and got it back already and i got an A!!!

[Mr_Stacey]

Well done!

Thanks for letting us know

[Alex.]

hi i dont understant very muc about the senator McCathy and is effects on america? how did he fall from power? thanks if u can help

[Mr Field]

Have a look at this interactive diagram that I created for my students: http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/usa...communism.shtml (click on 'Show hints' to see the information).

Carefully read the information and then post again for further help and guidance.