House Un-American Activities Committee facts for kids
The House Un-American Activities Committee (often called HUAC) was a special group of lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives. It was like a detective team for the government.
HUAC was started in 1938. Its main job was to look into people and groups who were thought to be involved with communism. During this time, communism was seen as a big threat to the United States. The committee wanted to find out if these people or groups were working against the country.
In 1969, the committee's name was changed to the "House Committee on Internal Security." It continued its work until 1975. After that, its duties were given to another group called the House Judiciary Committee.
Many people connect HUAC with Joseph McCarthy. He was a U.S. Senator who also investigated communism. However, Senator McCarthy was not part of HUAC. He led a different committee in the Senate.
Contents
What Was HUAC?
HUAC was a powerful committee. It could call people to testify, which means they had to answer questions. The committee wanted to find out if anyone was trying to secretly spread communist ideas in the U.S. government or in society.
Why Was It Created?
The committee was created because of worries about communism. After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union (a communist country) became rivals. This period was known as the Cold War. Many Americans feared that communists might try to take over the U.S. government.
How Did HUAC Work?
HUAC held many hearings. During these hearings, people were asked about their beliefs and their connections. Some famous people from Hollywood, like actors and writers, were called to testify. Many people lost their jobs because of these investigations.
Important People and Events
Many different lawmakers served on HUAC over the years. They led the investigations and decided who would be called to speak.
Early Investigations
Before HUAC became a permanent committee, there were earlier investigations. For example, Lee Slater Overman led a group that looked into communism in 1919. This showed that concerns about these activities were not new.
Martin Dies Jr. and the Special Committee
Martin Dies Jr. was a key leader in the early days. He chaired the Special Committee on Un-American Activities. This committee was the one that came before the permanent HUAC. He led it for seven years.
Francis E. Walter's Leadership
Later, Francis E. Walter became the chairman of HUAC. He led the committee from 1955 until his death in 1963. During his time, the committee continued its investigations into suspected communist activities.
The Hiss-Chambers Case
One of the most famous cases involved Whittaker Chambers and Alger Hiss. Chambers accused Hiss, a former government official, of being a spy for the Soviet Union. This case gained a lot of attention. It made many people believe that there were indeed spies in the government.
Richard Ichord and the Final Years
Richard Howard Ichord Jr. was the chairman when the committee's name changed. He led the "House Internal Security Committee" from 1969 until it ended in 1975.
Legacy of HUAC
HUAC's work is still talked about today. Some people believe it was important for national security. Others think it went too far and harmed innocent people. The committee's actions showed how worried the U.S. was about communism during the Cold War.
Images for kids
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Lee Slater Overman headed the first congressional investigation of American communism back in 1919.
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Conservative Texas Democrat Martin Dies Jr. served as chair of the Special Committee on Un-American Activities, predecessor to the permanent committee, for its entire seven-year duration.
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Democrat Francis E. Walter of Pennsylvania was chair of HUAC from 1955 until his death in 1963.
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Whittaker Chambers (1948)
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Alger Hiss (1950)
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Democrat Richard Howard Ichord Jr. of Missouri was chair of the renamed House Internal Security Committee from 1969 until its termination in January 1975.
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