During the WWII, post WWII, and Cold War era throughout the 20th century, the United States of America was faced with many domestic and foreign conflicts. It was a time of change, action, and movements. Amidst the conflicts, the US was forced to make very controversial decisions. Through its government, the United States acted on these many problems and affected the quality of life of the people. Unfortunately, with these decisions made, the US failed to promote the liberty, equality, and justice for its citizens and the people of the world. It broke the values of democracy upon which the country was built with examples including japanese internment, WWII, the Red Scare policies, and segregation.
Firstly, With the House of Un-American Activities
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The internment of Japanese-Americans in the US was completely unjust and violated the constitutional rights of many. It classified the Japanese as ‘dangerous aliens’ as they were unrightfully sent sent from their homes to militarized locations under fear of espionage during WWII. ”The American Friends Service Committee (a Quaker group), and the Japanese-American community—countered that singling out a particular group for internment was an unconstitutional infringement of their liberty” (Japanese-American Internment). There were legal organizations against the interment under the proof that it was unconstitutional. This included American citizens targeted by their own government because of their ethnicities. Secondly, the US failed to promote freedom with McCarthyism. It was started by Senator Joseph McCarthy as a ‘witch hunt’ against Communism in the government. It consisted of strong accusations made under very slim evidence or none at all. The freedom of innocent people was threatened as they were brought and held in court under solely suspicions of Communist affiliations. It was unjust, as there was no solid evidence for prosecution. “Senator Joseph McCarthy …show more content…
McCarthy, who used doctored photographs and false documents, was eventually censored for his actions” (Nixon, McCarthyism Address). In this speech, president Nixon described how McCarthyism actually destroyed the careers and lives of many. They were accused and legally attacked by a corrupt senator who was found to create false evidence. Many of the victims were innocent men, abandoned by the US government and left helpless. The government did not act to protect them. During the Second Red Scare in the United States, a congressional committee was formed known as the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). This group carried the sole purpose of looking into and eliminating pro-communist activities in the movie and film industry, the government, companies, and organizations. Similar to McCarthyism, it made accusations against hundreds without any legal evidence or proof. The party also attacked those who opposed their political views in government. “Furthermore, the hearings routinely punished liberals and leftists who
During the turn of the twentieth century a powerful fervor prevailed throughout Europe. Industrialization boomed, and nations soared to a brand new level of success never seen before. This aura of new achievements and new ideas kindled a nationalist flair among citizens and their countries. Whether it be from successes of the state, or the unification of a common culture despite existing political boundaries, the people experienced a new and thrilling sensation of identity. Such a flame unleashed rebellious sparks, igniting the “powder keg” of Europe, launching the Great War.
Inequitable Incarceration The months before and during WW1 in America were a dark and gloomy period for the Japanese-American citizens. Many Japanese-Americans have shared their story of the internment camps during WW1 and Jerry Stanley, a victim of the camps noted, “I am proud that I am an American citizen of Japanese ancestry, for my very background makes me appreciate more fully the wonderful advantages of this nation.” (Stanley 3). Stanley was a proud american and appreciated the freedoms he had.
In the 1940 's and 1950 's, an anti-Communist movement swept the United States of America. Fueled by the anti-Communist actions of Congress, particularly a Senator from Wisconsin by the name of Joseph McCarthy, the movement escalated and many people lost their jobs as a result of various blacklists. Congressional hearings, both in front of HUAC and McCarthy Senate committee were a study in organized persecution. The actions taken during the "Red Scare" were eventually given the general name McCarthyism. McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence.
World War One had many legacies after it ended. A legacy that the war left was power and authority in different countries effect after the war. The powers were the Nazis in Germany, the fascist in Italy,and the Bolsheviks in Russia. After the war many people were looking for hope,which made them join groups to make them feels apart of something.
During the time, McCarthy wasn’t a well-known senator, to which he used the societies state of paranoia to acquire fame. McCarthy was amongst numerous other people involved in schemes to benefit themselves. To this, the Republicans were involved in these cruel schemes. In attempts to seek power, the Republicans took advantage of the fear that people had. Due to the fact that the Democrats maintained control of the government for countless years, the Republicans tried to hold the Democrats accountable for the growing paranoia (“McCarthyism”).
If countries were to unite with the understanding of the stance of freedom, they could take down the walls that build up communism. As is becoming obvious, the American goal was to assist and help countries in the need of freedom from the barriers and people that were held over them. President Truman emphasizes the importance of freedom during this time. It also stands for our everlasting promise the nation symbolized. In order to keep our promise the nation has to defend South Vietnam from the communist hands.
World War I, known as the war to end all wars at the time, had massive impacts on the U.S. Soldiers that were being sent off into the battlefield not knowing whether they would return home dead or alive. Soldiers fought, slept, and lived in trenches for the entirety of the war. Although, soldiers were not the only ones experiencing poor conditions during the war Citizens, and even countries, were affected by the war in various ways. Citizens in the U.S were stripped of their right of freedom of speech under the first amendment. WWI caused a large epidemic in the U.S regarding health safety.
McCarthyism created tension between Americans due to paranoia, patriotic influence, and greed. Clearly, McCarthyism influenced and allowed paranoia to settle itself within the American mindset. McCarthyism was the one key factor in revealing the Communist influence on American soil, and the detonation of the atomic bomb in Soviet Russia caused Americans to begin falsely
American citizens were brought into court under suspicion for colluding with the communist party. If people gave the names of “co conspirators” then they could walk free; if not they were convicted. These trials ignored all constitutional rights of the accused and with only circumstantial evidence, sent people to jail (“McCarthyism”). Like The Crucible, a play that this era bore, the justice system that the people trusted failed at every level. “In 1947, President Truman had ordered background checks of every civilian in service to the government.
Hitler was the main aggressor during 1939 who everyone appeased to, who is infamously known for his rise to power, his persecution of Jews, and his attacks on the world to dominate, that killed so many. Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, believed in the policy of appeasement and appeased Hitler at the Munich Conference which eventually lead to the start of World War II. The Western Powers responded to aggression with appeasement, and in 1939 the world was plunged into World War II, proving to the world that collective security is a better response to aggression. Hitler’s aggression was the main reason why Allied powers felt the need to appease. In 1930, after the Reichstag fire, Adolf Hitler rose to power because he was appointed
McCarthy manipulated the media, told outrageous stories about the communist conspiracy in the United States, and used his power and America’s fear to besmirch any opponents as “communist sympathizers” to make sure he remained at the top. Actually, most conservative members of Congress supported McCarthy because it helped them gain votes during elections. The majority of McCarthy 's movement attacked liberals and members of the Democratic Party and this aided anyone who was not part of those topics and organizations. Then McCarthy began to target the Army because they wouldn’t favor David Schine, one of his former investigators, who had been drafted in. “Senator Joseph McCarthy began hearings investigating the United States Army, which he charged with being ‘soft’ on communism.
World War 1 was a major turning point in history, it was when more than 32 countries went to war with each other. By the 1900 people were bound to know that there would be a war soon. With all of the industrialization and alliances occuring, people set to balance the powers of all the counties so that if a country would try something risky and take over, the other countries could easily stop them because of the central power. But this inevitably raised tensions between countries, which made it more possible for a war to occur. All the world needed was for a slight event to spark the roaring fire that was waitting.
Being a woman or an african american in the years of 1941-1945 was a harsh thing. Imagine being a woman and going to work, and you want to go home and rest but you can’t because you have to clean the house and take care of your family. Or being an African American and being segregated when they are working. But also being a Latino and getting benefits from the G.I Bill. An event that led up to the entrance and involvement of the United States in World War II was the Great Depression.
In World War One, the Treaty of Versailles almost destroyed Germany and many Germans were upset. A leader in a socialist party, called Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor. Then, soon the Fuhrer und Reichskanzler, or the Leader and Reich Chancellor of Germany. He was allied with the Japanese and Italy. He invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland and started the Second World War.
McCarthyism was a vociferous campaign against alleged communists in the US government. Many of the accused were blacklisted or lost their jobs, although most did not in fact belong to the Communist Party. In these two events, many similarities