McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare (1947–1957)

1. Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program

   Mar 21, 1947Labels: Harry Truman, Federal Employee

   • Truman Library
   • HISTORY

2. Hollywood Ten cited for contempt of Congress

   Nov 24, 1947Labels: Hollywood Ten, House Un-American

   • Britannica
   • HISTORY

3. Attorney General issues subversive organizations list

   Dec 4, 1947Labels: Tom C, AGLOSO

   • AGLOSO
   • HISTORY

4. Truman orders loyalty records kept confidential

   Mar 15, 1948Labels: Harry Truman, Employee Loyalty

   • Truman Library
   • Truman Library

5. Communist Party leaders convicted in Smith Act trial

   Oct 14, 1949Labels: Communist Party, Smith Act

   • Cornell LII
   • Britannica

6. Alger Hiss convicted of perjury

   Jan 1, 1950Labels: Alger Hiss, State Department

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

7. McCarthy delivers Wheeling speech alleging State Department communists

   Feb 9, 1950Labels: Joseph McCarthy, Wheeling speech

   • National Archives
   • US Senate

8. Senate opens Tydings Committee hearings on McCarthy’s allegations

   Mar 8, 1950Labels: Tydings Committee, U S

   • Tydings
   • US Senate

9. Internal Security Act enacted over Truman’s veto

   Sep 23, 1950Labels: Internal Security, Congress

   • Truman Library
   • McCarran Act

10. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg convicted of espionage conspiracy

    Mar 29, 1951Labels: Julius Rosenberg, Ethel Rosenberg

    • FBI
    • Justia

11. Supreme Court upholds Smith Act convictions in Dennis

    Jun 4, 1951Labels: Dennis v, Supreme Court

    • Britannica
    • Dennis Case

12. Eisenhower issues Executive Order 10450 on security risks

    Apr 27, 1953Labels: Dwight Eisenhower, Executive Order

    • Presidency
    • EO 10450

13. Rosenbergs executed at Sing Sing

    Jun 19, 1953Labels: Rosenberg execution, Sing Sing

    • FBI
    • Justia

14. Army–McCarthy hearings begin on televised Senate sessions

    Apr 22, 1954Labels: Army McCarthy, Senate Subcommittee

    • US Senate
    • HISTORY

15. Communist Control Act signed into law

    Aug 24, 1954Labels: Communist Control, Dwight Eisenhower

    • CCA 1954
    • HISTORY

16. Senate votes to censure Joseph McCarthy

    Dec 2, 1954Labels: Senate censure, Joseph McCarthy

    • US Senate
    • National Archives

17. Supreme Court limits HUAC questioning in Watkins decision

    Jun 17, 1957Labels: Watkins v, Supreme Court

    • Watkins
    • US Senate