Question

I know that during the McCarthy Era, people accused as being communists were asked to give names of other communists. I was wondering if it was true that if accused people gave names then they would be let off the hook? Thanks.

Answer 1

No, not true. Senator McCarty, and his Republican allies, were out to destroy Democrats. They didn't give a dang if the folks were Communists or not, they just were destroyers of many good people.
Here in Texas, some of them are still hanging round.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy

Answer 2

Well, either way, was it true that if people gave names then they would be let off the hook?