I N T R E P X

In Chapter 3 of “Folly and Glory,” Tim Weiner explores the intense period of fear and suspicion in the United States known as the Red Scare, which took place primarily in the late 1940s and 1950s. This chapter details how the fear of communist infiltration and espionage permeated American society, politics, and government, leading to a wave of anti-communist hysteria known as McCarthyism. Weiner examines the origins, key figures, and consequences of this period, highlighting its impact on American politics, culture, and civil liberties.

1. Origins of the Red Scare:
Weiner begins by setting the stage for the Red Scare, explaining how the early Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union fueled fears of communist subversion within the U.S. The rapid spread of communism in Eastern Europe, the fall of China to communism in 1949, and the Soviet Union’s successful test of an atomic bomb that same year all contributed to a pervasive sense of vulnerability and paranoia in the U.S. This environment was ripe for the emergence of a national obsession with rooting out communists and sympathizers.

2. The Loyalty Programs and Executive Orders:
In response to the growing fear of communist influence, President Harry S. Truman established the Federal Employee Loyalty Program in 1947 through Executive Order 9835. Weiner explains that this program aimed to evaluate the loyalty of federal employees and remove any individuals deemed a security risk. The program established loyalty review boards that investigated millions of government workers, with accusations often based on tenuous evidence, such as association with organizations deemed subversive or left-leaning.

Weiner notes that the program set a precedent for scrutinizing and policing the political beliefs of citizens, leading to widespread fear and self-censorship among federal employees. This atmosphere of suspicion extended beyond the government, with private companies and institutions also adopting loyalty oaths and conducting their own investigations.

3. The Rise of HUAC and the Hollywood Blacklist:
Weiner delves into the role of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which became a prominent force in the hunt for communists in America. HUAC, originally formed in 1938, gained significant power in the late 1940s as it began investigating alleged communist influence in Hollywood, the labor movement, and other sectors of American society. The committee’s hearings were highly publicized, and its aggressive tactics included compelling individuals to testify about their own and others’ political affiliations.

One of the most notorious outcomes of HUAC’s investigations was the Hollywood blacklist, which targeted actors, writers, directors, and other entertainment industry professionals accused of having communist ties. Many of those called before HUAC refused to testify or name names, invoking the Fifth Amendment, and were subsequently blacklisted, losing their jobs and careers. Weiner highlights the long-lasting damage this caused, as the entertainment industry became a focal point of anti-communist fervor.

4. The Alger Hiss Case and the Fear of Espionage:
The chapter covers the highly publicized case of Alger Hiss, a former State Department official accused of being a Soviet spy. In 1948, Hiss was brought before HUAC by Whittaker Chambers, a former communist who alleged that Hiss had passed classified documents to the Soviets. The case became a sensational trial of public opinion, with Hiss denying the accusations and Chambers providing evidence, including microfilm hidden in a pumpkin on his farm, which became known as the “Pumpkin Papers.”

Hiss was ultimately convicted of perjury in 1950, as the statute of limitations for espionage had expired. Weiner explains that the Hiss case heightened fears of Soviet espionage and lent credibility to the belief that communists had infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. government. This case, along with the arrest of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for espionage in 1950, amplified the perception that America was under siege from within by communist agents.

5. The Rise of Joseph McCarthy:
Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin became the most infamous figure of the Red Scare, embodying the anti-communist crusade that came to be known as McCarthyism. Weiner details McCarthy’s dramatic rise to prominence in 1950 when he claimed to have a list of communists working in the State Department, though he never provided solid evidence. McCarthy’s aggressive and unsubstantiated accusations captured the nation’s attention and exploited the existing fears of communist infiltration.

Weiner portrays McCarthy as a master of media manipulation, using sensational tactics and inflammatory rhetoric to maintain public support and political influence. His televised hearings, particularly the Army-McCarthy hearings of 1954, showcased his confrontational style but also revealed his recklessness and lack of evidence. Weiner explains that McCarthy’s tactics not only targeted government officials but also extended to attacking individuals in the military, academia, and other institutions, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion across the nation.

6. The Impact on Civil Liberties and American Society:
The chapter explores the broader impact of McCarthyism on American society, particularly the erosion of civil liberties. Weiner discusses how the fear of communism led to widespread violations of free speech and due process, as individuals were blacklisted, fired, or otherwise punished based on accusations rather than proven facts. The anti-communist fervor led to a culture of conformity and stifled political dissent, as people feared being labeled un-American or a security risk.

Weiner also highlights the role of the media in both amplifying and eventually turning against McCarthy. Initially, many newspapers and television networks echoed McCarthy’s claims uncritically, but as his tactics grew more extreme, public opinion began to shift. Edward R. Murrow’s famous 1954 broadcast on CBS’s “See It Now” was a pivotal moment in challenging McCarthy’s methods and marked the beginning of his downfall.

7. The Decline of McCarthyism and Its Legacy:
Weiner concludes the chapter by examining the decline of McCarthyism, which began in earnest with the Army-McCarthy hearings. Televised to a national audience, these hearings exposed McCarthy’s bullying tactics and lack of credible evidence, leading to a backlash against his methods. In December 1954, the U.S. Senate formally censured McCarthy, effectively ending his influence, though the fear and damage caused by McCarthyism lingered for years.

The chapter underscores that while McCarthyism as a political force waned, its legacy endured in the form of heightened suspicion towards dissent and a lasting impact on American civil liberties. Weiner emphasizes that the Red Scare and McCarthyism left a deep mark on American political culture, illustrating how fear and paranoia can lead to the suppression of freedoms in the name of national security.

Conclusion:
Chapter 3 of “Folly and Glory” provides a comprehensive account of the Red Scare and McCarthyism, highlighting how fear of communism led to one of the most repressive periods in American history. Weiner paints a picture of a nation gripped by paranoia, where accusations were often enough to ruin lives and careers, and civil liberties were sacrificed in the pursuit of security. This chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing fear to override principles of justice and freedom, a theme that resonates with the broader narrative of the Cold War struggle between democracy and authoritarianism.