Rallying the American people against a common enemy, the Second Red Scare or McCarthyism was a monumental event and movement in postwar and Cold War era America. It centered around the fear of communism and its influence, viewing it as a threat to democracy and American values. However, during the Red Scare, innocent individuals experienced negative consequences for being accused of being communists or communist sympathizers. So while the Red Scare increased patriotism, it also caused unjust persecution and mass hysteria, which overstepped fundamental Constitutional rights. The baseless accusations and unjust persecution that occurred of supposed communists and liberals during the Red Scare completely undermine our nation's core principles.
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In other situations racial minorities, especially African Americans, also experienced what was known as “Red Scare Racism” in which they were targeted as communist sympathizers, which led to systemic racism and discrimination, which would further worsen the experience of African and Black Americans during the time. Some may argue that while the Red Scare may have overstepped constitutional rights, it was necessary to protect the free elections, individual rights, free trade, and the overall freedom that America promised, which were threatened by Soviet infiltration and communism. However, some of the freedoms America promises are those of speech, expression, and association, all of which were explicitly overlooked during the Red Scare, which in itself is hypocritical. A movement that is fuelled by the fight to protect American freedoms is carried out while completely ignoring them. Additionally, the U.S. Communist Party at the time was relatively small, and most of the alleged communists accused were completely
In other situations racial minorities, especially African Americans, also experienced what was known as “Red Scare Racism” in which they were targeted as communist sympathizers, which led to systemic racism and discrimination, which would further worsen the experience of African and Black Americans during the time. Some may argue that while the Red Scare may have overstepped constitutional rights, it was necessary to protect the free elections, individual rights, free trade, and the overall freedom that America promised, which were threatened by Soviet infiltration and communism. However, some of the freedoms America promises are those of speech, expression, and association, all of which were explicitly overlooked during the Red Scare, which in itself is hypocritical. A movement that is fuelled by the fight to protect American freedoms is carried out while completely ignoring them. Additionally, the U.S. Communist Party at the time was relatively small, and most of the alleged communists accused were completely