Question

History question(there should be a history option haha)

How did the Cold War affect civil liberties in the United States?

Answer 1

• Some people began thinking that communists were in the US undercover. Loyalty oaths were started for employees. There were Spy Trials. McCarthy thought there were a bunch of communists in the US and even though he was wrong and lied, there was still the belief that communists were out there. People went to jail for refusing to talk about their political beliefs.
• The Cold War had a massive influence on civil liberties within the United States. In a time following World War II and an increased desire for personal control of life, in a fight back against the fascist and totalitarianism ways of Nazi Germany recently defeated it is interesting that such incredible amounts of fear developed within American in response to Communism and the ‘War’ with the Soviet Union.
• The of potential enemies being within the boundaries of the states created a threat to the dearly held civil liberties such as privacy, right to affiliation, and right to believe of think as one desires. Due to this fear changes, such as the expansion of the FBI and occurrence of the McCarthy trials, were allowed to take place. The expansion of the FBI led to the invasion of individual’s privacy as numerous files were made which included personal details of how they may have deviated from the norms of society.
• Further, the McCarthy trials threated the individual’s right to believe and affiliate as they desired, because any who did not align with the thoughts of the time were persecuted for being a suspected communist. These trials even led to erroneous charges and sentencing, such as the death penalty given to the Rosenberg’s who were only convicted of conspiracy.
• Not only did the fear lead to the violation of civil liberties, but the violations led to increased fear and distrust. As the people grew in fear of the USSR, the government increased in violations of civil liberties in an attempt to rid the country of any and all threats. As a consequence the people continued to grow in fear; now more of their own government and what it might do than what the foreign opposition may bring.