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In Contempt: Defending Free Speech and Defeating HUAC

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In Contempt: Defending Free Speech, Defeating HUAC

by James Fenimore Cooper

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1358 KB
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Print length	:	139 pages
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In the early 1950s, the United States was in the grips of the Cold War, a period of intense political tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Fear of communism was rampant, and the government was eager to root out any suspected communist sympathizers. This led to the creation of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC),a congressional committee tasked with investigating alleged communist infiltration of American institutions.

One of HUAC's main targets was the Hollywood film industry. In 1947, the committee subpoenaed ten Hollywood screenwriters and directors to testify about their alleged communist affiliations. The Ten, as they became known, refused to cooperate with the committee, citing their First Amendment rights. This led to their being blacklisted by the Hollywood studio system, effectively ending their careers.

The Ten's defiance of HUAC sparked a major controversy. Some people supported their right to free speech, while others believed that they were traitors who should be punished. The debate over the Ten's case would continue for years, and it would eventually help to shape the First Amendment landscape in the United States.

The Hollywood Ten

The Hollywood Ten were a group of ten screenwriters and directors who were blacklisted by the Hollywood studio system in the 1950s for their alleged communist sympathies. The Ten were:

* Alvah Bessie * Herbert Biberman * Lester Cole * Edward Dmytryk * Ring Lardner Jr. * John Howard Lawson * Albert Maltz * Samuel Ornitz * Adrian Scott * Dalton Trumbo

The Ten were all members of the Communist Party USA, but they denied that their political beliefs had influenced their work. They argued that they were being persecuted for their political beliefs, not for anything they had done.

HUAC and the Blacklist

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a congressional committee created in 1938 to investigate alleged communist infiltration of American institutions. HUAC held hearings in which witnesses were questioned about their political beliefs and associations. Many people who testified before HUAC were blacklisted, meaning that they were unable to find work in their chosen fields.

The Hollywood blacklist was a list of actors, writers, directors, and other entertainment industry professionals who were blacklisted by the Hollywood studio system for their alleged communist sympathies. The blacklist was created in 1947, and it remained in effect for over a decade. During that time, many blacklisted individuals were unable to find work in Hollywood.

The Ten's Trial

In 1947, the Ten were subpoenaed to testify before HUAC. They refused to cooperate with the committee, citing their First Amendment rights. This led to their being charged with contempt of Congress.

The Ten's trial was a major media event. The prosecution argued that the Ten were communists who were using their positions in Hollywood to spread communist propaganda. The defense argued that the Ten were being persecuted for their political beliefs, not for anything they had done.

The jury found the Ten guilty of contempt of Congress. They were each sentenced to one year in prison.

The Ten's Appeal

The Ten appealed their convictions to the Supreme Court. In 1950, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Ten. The Court held that the Ten's First Amendment rights had been violated by HUAC.

The Supreme Court's decision was a major victory for free speech. It helped to establish the principle that people cannot be punished for their political beliefs.

The Legacy of the Hollywood Ten

The Hollywood Ten's case was a landmark event in the history of free speech in the United States. The Ten's defiance of HUAC helped to shape the First Amendment landscape in the United States. Today, the Ten are remembered as heroes who stood up for their beliefs.

The Hollywood Ten's story is still relevant today. In an era of increasing political polarization, it is important to remember the importance of free speech. The Ten's story reminds us that we must never allow our fear of communism or any other ideology to silence dissenting voices.

The Hollywood Ten were a group of courageous individuals who stood up for their First Amendment rights. Their defiance of HUAC helped to shape the First Amendment landscape in the United States. Today, the Ten are remembered as heroes who defended free speech.

In Contempt: Defending Free Speech, Defeating HUAC

by James Fenimore Cooper

4.1 out of 5