House Committee on Un-American Activities

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The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA), also known as the Committee for Un-American Activities and the House Un-American Activities Committee, was a committee of the United States House of Representatives created in 1938 with the self-proclaimed purpose of investigating suspected communist activities amongst citizens, residents and organizations in the United States. The HCUA became infamous during the Red Scare, a period of anti-communist hysteria in the 1950s that involved widespread political repression by the US Government.

History

The HCUA became a standing (permanent) committee in 1945, and was renamed the House Committee on Internal Security in 1969.

Paul Robeson's testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

The political witch hunts initiated by the HCUA led to the Hollywood Blacklist, which blacklisted The Hollywood Ten from the film industry due to their alleged "communist sympathies". The HCUA was also known for its persecution of civil rights and anti-war activists on false charges of "subversion". Notable cases include Paul Robeson and Charlie Chaplin.

Although the House officially abolished the committee in 1975, its functions were in reality transferred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Legacy

In recent times, the US Government has sought to replicate the lawfare tactics used by the HCUA. Sweeping and arbitrarily enforced legislation allows that state to selectively target political dissidents under the banner of "national security".