The truths we cling to: Un-Americanism and the Dies Committee

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

12/18/2008

Category :

History & geography

Sub category :

Modern history

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Summary :

Introduction.
Samuel Dickstein (D-NY) as vice chairman of the Special Committee on Un-American Activities Authorized to Investigate Nazi Propaganda and Certain Other Propaganda Activities.
1. A report claiming no vestige of fascism existed in the United States.
2. A 'token whitewash investigation.'
The committee under the leadership of Martin Dies.
The potential for a fascist putsch.
Espionage.
The insidious creep of Bolshevism into everyday American life.
The Dies Committee.
1. A 'pioneer' of 'McCarthyite' tactics.
2. Dies betrayal of the three heads of the Federal Arts Project.
3. HUAC made a permanent standing committee in 1945.
Conclusion.

Abstract

What does it mean to be 'un-American?' For most of the twentieth century, a congressional committee took upon itself the mission of defining that vague and often misused term. The committee went through different iterations and attacked different targets. By 1946, one thing was clear: the most un-American belief one could hold was that of Communism. Before then, however, the McCormack-Dickstein committee, precursor to the House Un-American Activities committee, had as its task the investigation of fascism and fascist plots. The very definition of 'un-americanism' has evolved at an astounding pace throughout the twentieth century, and continues to change to this day. It was under the chairmanship of Martin dies, however, that the committee took up the crusade for which it was most infamous and which would last for half a century: anti-communism.