The Cold War at home : the Red Scare in Pennsylvania, 1945-1960 / Philip Jenkins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jenkins, Philip, 1952-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Anti-communist movements--Pennsylvania--History--20th century.

Anti-communist movements.

Communism--Pennsylvania--History--20th century.

Communism.

Internal security.

History.

Politics and government.

Pennsylvania--Politics and government--1865-1950.

Pennsylvania.

Internal security--Pennsylvania--History--20th century.

Anti-communist movements--United States--History--20th century--Case studies.

Communism--United States--History--20th century--Case studies.

United States--Politics and government--1933-1953--Case studies.

United States.

Internal security--United States--History--20th century--Case studies.

Cold War--Case studies.

Cold War.

Physical Description:

xiv, 271 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, [1999]

Summary:

One of the most significant industrial states in the country, with a powerful radical tradition, Pennsylvania was, by the early 1950s, the scene of some of the fiercest anti-Communist activism in the United States. Philip Jenkins examines the political and social impact of the Cold War across the state, tracing the Red Scare's reverberations in party politics, the labor movement, ethnic organizations, schools and universities, and religious organizations.

Among Jenkins's most provocative findings is the revelation that, although their absolute numbers were not large, Communists were very well positioned in crucial Pennsylvania regions and constituencies, particularly in labor unions, the educational system, and major ethnic organizations. Instead of focusing on Pennsylvania's right-wing politicians (the sort represented nationally by Senator Joseph McCarthy), Jenkins emphasizes the anti-Communist activities of liberal politicians, labor leaders, and ethnic community figures who were terrified of Communist encroachments on their respective power bases. He also stresses the deep roots of the state's militant anti-Communism, which can be traced back at least into the 1930s.

Contents:

2 Haunting Pennsylvania: The Communist Tradition 17

3 The New Americanism, 1944-1950 44

4 Red Scare Rampant, 1950-1953 69

5 Saving Labor 98

6 Teaching Americanism: The Purge of the Teaching Profession 118

7 The Struggle for the Ethnic Communities 142

8 Constructing the Beast: The Churches and Anti-Communism 166

9 Coming in from the Cold War, 1956-1968 184

10 Consequences 204.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 218-259) and index.

ISBN:

0807824984

080784781X

OCLC:

40762706