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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Lesson 3: The Rise and Fall of Joseph Mc Carthy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will learn about McCarthy's crusade against communism, from his bombshell pronouncements in 1950 to his ultimate censure and disgrace in 1954. Through an examination of documents and political cartoons they will study key points...
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eBook
Digital History

Digital History: Mc Carthy and Mc Carthyism [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about one of the truly black eyes in American history when Senator Joseph McCarthy was able to make false accusations against politicians and ordinary citizens alike, claiming they had communist leanings and were enemies of the...
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Primary
Other

Cpsu: J. Edgar Hoover Huac Testimony

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the testimony of J. Edgar Hoover before the House Un-American Activities Committee where he explains the destructive nature of Communists in the United States.
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Primary
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: United States History Since 1920: Truman Loyalty Oath, 1947

For Students 9th - 10th
In March, 1947, President Truman issued an executive order requiring that all Federal employees take a loyalty oath swearing loyalty to the United States. This was a time of fear of Communists and the Soviet Union. Read the entire...
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Primary
San Diego State University

San Diego State University: Internal Security Act of 1950 (Mc Carran Act) [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The McCarran Act was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the words of the act "to protect the United States against certain un-American and subversive activities by requiring registration of Communist...
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Primary
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: Executive Order 9835

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the executive order from President Harry S. Truman which outlined the loyalty review program to examine the loyalty of federal employees. This was issued in response to anti-Communist hysteria at the time.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Presidency of Ronald Reagan

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides an extensive history of Reagan's administration including information on his presidential campaign, domestic policies, foreign policies, and domestic and international events of his presidency.
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Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: The Legacy of Mc Carthyism

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay addressing the ramifications of false accusations made against academics, politicians, and cultural figures during the McCarthy Era. Read about the consequences not only for the individuals but for society in general.
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Handout
CNN

Cnn: The Reagan Years: Inside the White House

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan Years", this site provides you with brief explanations of the US in 1980, the 1980 presidential election and assorted topics of Reagan's presidency including the assassination attempt, the...
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Website
Other

U.s. Immigration Legislation: 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, which sought to exclude immigrants based not on their country of origin, as in the past, but moral or philosophical grounds. Included is a...
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

Soviets Say a u.s. Attack on Cuba Would Mean Nuclear War

For Students 9th - 10th
A September 11, 1962 New York Times article relates the Soviet statement threatening nuclear war.