How did the post–World War II Red Scare change over time?

A. It became more difficult to monitor citizens.

B. The U.S. created laws to deal with the communist threat.

C. The government began to monitor people who weren’t communists.

D. Surveillance of American citizens got more intense.

1 answer

The post–World War II Red Scare went through various phases, and examining the choices provided:

A. It became more difficult to monitor citizens. - This is not typically true in the context of the Red Scare, as monitoring increased during this time.

B. The U.S. created laws to deal with the communist threat. - This is accurate, as various laws were enacted to counter perceived Communist threats, such as the McCarran Internal Security Act.

C. The government began to monitor people who weren’t communists. - While the government did expand its surveillance, this statement needs clarification as it implies broader suspicion that was not entirely directed toward non-communists but included various leftist groups and individuals.

D. Surveillance of American citizens got more intense. - This is also true, as the government did ramp up surveillance and investigations into individuals suspected of communist sympathies or activities.

In summary, while options B and D are accurate in reflecting the increase in laws and surveillance activities, option B (the creation of laws) may reflect a systematic response, while D (intensified surveillance) better captures the atmosphere and actions of the government over time. Thus, both B and D could be correct, but based on the context of your question's focus on change over time, D may be the most direct choice illustrating how the Red Scare evolved.