Question

Why did Harry Truman’s loyalty review system target homosexuals working for the government? a. Homosexuals were considered susceptible to blackmail and thought to be lacking the manly qualities necessary to fight communism. b. Joseph McCarthy’s announcement that there were over fifty homosexuals in the State Department had forced Truman’s hand. c. Truman was alleged to be gay himself and sought to deflect any suspicions. d. Homosexuals were legally prohibited from working for the government. e. The president was an outspoken homophobe.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Homosexuals were considered susceptible to blackmail and thought to be lacking the manly qualities necessary to fight communism, is the correct answer.

Explanation:

The firing of homosexual government employees from the US government  was known as Lavender Scare. It was similar to the Second Red Scare. Homosexual men and women were considered to be community sympathizers and security risks. This term was popularized by David K. Johnson in his book The Lavender Scare.  Historians claim that there is more focus on Red Scare while studying the US history,but there is a lesser known element which was not known to people, It was the Lavender Scare.