rly 1940s.
Fried's theme that the virulent anti-communism practiced by McCarthy was a mainstream movement receives support by three different episodes. First, Fried recounts the evolution of anti-communism under Roosevelt in the late 1930s. The Depression had spawned considerable support for leftist ideas and many individuals who were employed by New Deal agencies had flirted with socialist and even communist organizations. This provided an opportunity for those conservatives in both parties who had opposed the New Deal to attack the administration's policies. They claimed that New Deal administrators were acting as fronts for the Soviet-controlled Communist Party. The Nazi-Soviet Pact further fueled fears of a "fifth column" in the United States, a fear which was partially shared by Roosevelt. Roosevelt was focusing upon foreign affairs, convinced that a war was imminent. Consequently, he expanded the powers of the FBI to investigate foreign influence in the United States. Hoover used this authority to go after every leftist he could find, with Congress supporting his efforts through funding and legislation (Fried 45-54).
A second example in Fried's thesis is the period immediately following the Second World War. This was the period when the Cold War began, and Americas sensed a palpable communist threat. Anti-communist fervor in the country built up to the point where "patriotic" legislation passed overwhelmingly and the parties traded charges over various issues as to who was softer on communism. Fears seemed to have basis in reality when it was revealed that a spy ring had delivered atomic secrets to the Soviets, which explained how the Soviets had acquired nuclear weapons so quickly. All forms of liberal organizations had to contend with accusations of reds in their ranks. It was during this period that Hollywood experienced its first bout of blacklisting, with ten figures convicted of contempt after refusing t...