McCarthyism and the second Red Scare
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the influence and impact of the second Red Scare in the USA in the 1940s and 1950s.
Key learning points
- The USA experienced the second Red Scare during the 1940s and 1950s.
- Historical, international and domestic factors contributed to the second Red Scare.
- A wide range of Americans were investigated during hunts for communists.
- Joseph McCarthy became a leading anti-communist figure.
- McCarthyism involved accusing others of being communists with little proof.
Keywords
Ideology - an ideology is a set of beliefs which shapes a person's’ understanding of society and the world
Communist - a communist is a person who believes that wealth should be shared equally between people
Paranoia - paranoia is a situation where people are are unreasonably or excessively scared of something
Blacklisted - a situation where people refuse to deal or interact with a group of others who they consider to be bad is known as being blacklisted
Common misconception
The limited number of communists in the USA meant few people were affected by the Red Scare.
Millions of Americans were investigated during the Red Scare and thousands lost their jobs and social standing due to suspicions about their political beliefs.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to investigate President Truman's motives for establishing the Loyalty Programme. Then ask pupils to identify reasons why historians might consider Joseph McCarthy's actions unique and not unique during the second Red Scare.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word: Older Americans worried that teenage culture and rebelliousness meant that a gap was being created in post-war America.
Q2.How did education in the USA change during the 1940s?
Q3.What type of main character was featured in the 1950s film 'The Wild One'?
Q4.Why were Rock and Roll songs often popular with teenagers?
Q5.How did cinema attendance change during the 1940s and 1950s?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each of the keywords to their correct definitions.
set of beliefs which shapes a person's understanding of society
belief that all wealth should be shared equally between people
making strong accusations against people without proper proof
Q2.Write the missing word. HUAC stands for House Activities Committee.
Q3.Who was the USA's superpower rival after 1945?
Q4.How many names of communists working in government did Joseph McCarthy initially claim to have in 1950?
Q5.Which statement is most accurate about the second Red Scare?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: McCarthyism and the second Red Scare, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: McCarthyism and the second Red Scare, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.