McCarthyism was the campaign against alleged communists in the USA led by Joseph McCarthy

communism is the belief that wealth should be shared equally between people

the freedom people have to do, think, and say what they want is known as civil liberties

Change in Post-War America

History

In this unit, pupils considered the impact that WW2 had on the American people, the economy and their relationship with different ideologies. In 'USA Civil Rights: how successful was the American civil rights movement?', pupils will study the efforts that different groups in American society made to gain equality.

In 'USA New Deal and WW2: how far did the American economy recover?', pupils studied the measures taken to restore the American economy and their effects. In 'USA Society: how far did American society change after WW2?', pupils will consider the impact that WW2 had on the American people, the economy and their relationship with different ideologies.

In this unit, pupils learn about the changes that took place in American society after the Second World War. They examine post-war popular culture, McCarthyism and the concept of the American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s.

USA Society: how far did American society change after WW2?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

What was the campaign against alleged communists in the USA led by Joseph McCarthy referred to as?

What new genre of music was particularly popular with American teenagers in the 1940s and 1950s?

Which of the following groups was often targeted by McCarthyism?

The income of US men rose but women's did not after 1945

The income of US women rose but men's did not after 1945

The income of US men and women rose after 1945

There can only be one accurate interpretation of a historical event or period

There can be multiple accurate interpretations of a historical event or period

Only a professional historian's interpretation can be considered accurate

Most of Truman's Fair Deal blocked by political opponents

Joseph McCarthy claims he has a list of 205 communists working in the government

Over 60 million watch a TV performance by Elvis Presley

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

Write the missing word. Many people investigated as suspected communists during the Red Scare were {{}}, meaning they were blocked from getting jobs.

Who became a prominent leader in the hunt for communists during the Red Scare?

How many American communist spies were found by the Loyalty programme?

reduced fears of communism and led to an end of the Red Scare

revealed that many leading American officials had betrayed the USA

Why was the 'loss' of China important for the second Red Scare in the USA?

US presidents did their best to end the Red Scare

US presidents did little to publicly challenge the Red Scare

Eastern Europe falls under Soviet control

The USSR develops its own nuclear weapons

Joseph McCarthy announces he has a list of communists in the US governemnt

McCarthy acuses US army officers of being communists

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronologoical order.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Change in Post-War America

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.