Document Based Question
Analyze the causes of American fear of communism from 1945 to 1960 and the effect it had on the American people.
Document 1
Source: President Harry S Truman, Address to Joint Session of Congress, March 12, 1947.
The very existence of the Greek state is today threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousand armed men, led by Communists, who defy the government's authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern boundaries. . . . Meanwhile, the Greek Government is unable to cope with the situation. . . . The United States must supply that assistance. We have already extended to Greece certain types of relief and economic aid but these are inadequate. . . . I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. . . . There is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn.
Document 2
Source: President Harry S Truman, Statement on Detection of Soviet Atomic Test, September 23, 1949.
I believe the American people to the fullest extent consistent with the national security are entitled to be informed of all developments in the field of atomic energy. That is my reason for making public the following information.
We have evidence that within recent weeks an atomic explosion occurred in the USSR. Ever since atomic energy was first released by man, the eventual development of this new force by other nations was to be expected. This probability has always been taken into account by us.
Document 3
Source: Movie poster for The Red Menace, 1949.
Document 4
Source: Joseph McCarthy, Speech at Wheeling, West Virginia, February 9, 1950.
The great difference between our western Christian world and the atheistic Communist world is not political, gentlemen, it is moral. For instance, the Marxian idea of confiscating the land and factories and running the entire economy as a single enterprise is momentous.
Today we are engaged in a final, all-out battle between communistic atheism and Christianity. . . . Unless we face this fact, we shall pay the price that must be paid by those who wait too long.
I have here in my hand a list of 205 . . . a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.
Document 5
Source: Federal Aid Highway Act, June 29, 1956.
SEC. 108. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS.
(a) INTERSTATE SYSTEM.-It is hereby declared to be essential to the national interest to provide for the early completion of the "National System of Interstate Highways," as authorized and designated in accordance with section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 838). It is the intent of the Congress that the Interstate System be completed as nearly as practicable over a thirteen-year period and that the entire System in all the States be brought to simultaneous completion. Because of its primary importance to the national defense, the name of such system is hereby changed to the "National System of Interstate and Defense Highways." Such National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is hereinafter in this Act referred to as the "Interstate System."
Document 6
Edwin Marcus, "Awake at Last," 1957, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Division.
Document 7
Source: U.S. Military Spending, 1945 -1996 (Billions of 1996 Dollars in Outlays), Center for Defense Information.

Question

Document Based Question
Analyze the causes of American fear of communism from 1945 to 1960 and the effect it had on the American people.
Document 1
Source: President Harry S Truman, Address to Joint Session of Congress, March 12, 1947.
The very existence of the Greek state is today threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousand armed men, led by Communists, who defy the government's authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern boundaries. . . . Meanwhile, the Greek Government is unable to cope with the situation. . . . The United States must supply that assistance. We have already extended to Greece certain types of relief and economic aid but these are inadequate. . . . I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. . . . There is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn.
Document 2
Source: President Harry S Truman, Statement on Detection of Soviet Atomic Test, September 23, 1949.
I believe the American people to the fullest extent consistent with the national security are entitled to be informed of all developments in the field of atomic energy. That is my reason for making public the following information.
We have evidence that within recent weeks an atomic explosion occurred in the USSR. Ever since atomic energy was first released by man, the eventual development of this new force by other nations was to be expected. This probability has always been taken into account by us.
Document 3
Source: Movie poster for The Red Menace, 1949.
  Document 4
Source: Joseph McCarthy, Speech at Wheeling, West Virginia, February 9, 1950.
The great difference between our western Christian world and the atheistic Communist world is not political, gentlemen, it is moral. For instance, the Marxian idea of confiscating the land and factories and running the entire economy as a single enterprise is momentous.
Today we are engaged in a final, all-out battle between communistic atheism and Christianity. . . . Unless we face this fact, we shall pay the price that must be paid by those who wait too long.
I have here in my hand a list of 205 . . . a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.
Document 5
Source: Federal Aid Highway Act, June 29, 1956.
SEC. 108. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS.
(a) INTERSTATE SYSTEM.-It is hereby declared to be essential to the national interest to provide for the early completion of the "National System of Interstate Highways," as authorized and designated in accordance with section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 838). It is the intent of the Congress that the Interstate System be completed as nearly as practicable over a thirteen-year period and that the entire System in all the States be brought to simultaneous completion. Because of its primary importance to the national defense, the name of such system is hereby changed to the "National System of Interstate and Defense Highways." Such National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is hereinafter in this Act referred to as the "Interstate System."
Document 6
Edwin Marcus, "Awake at Last," 1957, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Division.
  Document 7
Source: U.S. Military Spending, 1945 -1996 (Billions of 1996 Dollars in Outlays), Center for Defense Information.

Document Based Question Analyze the Causes of American Fear of Communism from 1945