The "Red Scare" of the 1950s in the United States was primarily driven by fears of communist infiltration and influence amidst the backdrop of the Cold War, particularly following World War II and the onset of the Korean War. The perceived threat of communism was heightened by events such as the Soviet Union's successful detonation of an atomic bomb and the establishment of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and China. This fear significantly impacted U.S. domestic policy, leading to widespread anti-communist sentiment, the rise of McCarthyism, and the implementation of loyalty programs that scrutinized the political affiliations of government employees and others, often resulting in wrongful accusations and blacklisting. In terms of foreign policy, the Red Scare influenced the U.S. to adopt a more aggressive stance against perceived communist expansion, as exemplified by the doctrine of containment, military interventions in places like Korea and Vietnam, and the establishment of alliances with nations opposing communism, fundamentally shaping American foreign relations throughout the Cold War era.
In a one paragraph response, explain why there was a "red scare" in the United States during the 1950s and examine its impact on U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
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