Second Red Scare - Cold War II

The document summarizes the Second Red Scare period in the United States during the Cold War from 1945-1953. It describes how fears of communism grew due to the Soviet Union developing nuclear weapons and the rise of Communist China. The House Un-American Activities Committee investigated suspected communists within the US and the Hollywood Ten were arrested. Laws like the Smith Act and McCarran Act restricted communist activities and travel. Senator Joseph McCarthy falsely accused many Americans of being communists, fueling further fears through "McCarthyism" until his tactics became too extreme and he lost public support.