Question

In Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience,” she states: Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism— The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest. The right to independent thought. What purpose did Senator Smith intend her words to serve in the midst of the Second Red Scare? (1 point) Responses She condemns those who would criticize the government for identifying and punishing Communists. She condemns those who would criticize the government for identifying and punishing Communists. She identifies the hypocrisy of blaming those who criticize the government as being un-American. She identifies the hypocrisy of blaming those who criticize the government as being un-American. She acknowledges that thinking independently and holding unpopular beliefs is unwise in politics. She acknowledges that thinking independently and holding unpopular beliefs is unwise in politics. She challenges the Senate to criticize and protest those who “shout the loudest about Americanism." She challenges the Senate to criticize and protest those who “shout the loudest about Americanism."

Answer 1

She identifies the hypocrisy of blaming those who criticize the government as being un-American. Senator Smith intended her words to serve as a condemnation of those who use accusations of being un-American to silence criticism and dissent, particularly during the Second Red Scare. She emphasizes the importance of upholding the fundamental rights of Americanism, such as the right to criticize, hold unpopular beliefs, protest, and think independently. Senator Smith challenges her colleagues in the Senate to stand up against those who use accusations of being un-American to suppress dissent and uphold the values of democracy and free speech.