Question

Many historians feel that Harry Truman as much as Joe McCarthy gave force to the postwar “Red scare.” Explain why you agree or disagree.

Answer 1

Here is information that you could use to argue either side of this debate.

Agree
- One could argue that Harry Truman played a significant role in the Red Scare due to his speech to Congress regarding the Truman Doctrine. In this speech, he asks Congress to give financial assistance to countries like Greece and Turkey. He discusses how the fate of these countries, and other ones all over Europe, rest in the fate of the US. If the US does not help these countries, communism can take over. This could lead to repression and hard economic times for millions of people.

Disagree
- Even though he created the Truman Doctrine, Truman did not scare up nearly as much fear as Joe McCarthy. McCarthy accused hundreds of people of being communist, played a significant role in the growth of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and used fear tactics to scare individuals. Truman was not nearly as extreme in his fight against domestic communism.