Why Was The HUAC Formed?

HUAC stands for House Un-American Activities Committee, which might be called an experiment in government oversight that had as much negative impact as it did positive impact. Established in the 1930s, HUAC existed for about 40 years before it was abolished.

The people who took lead in setting up this committee intended to protect citizens of the United States. But history records that the committee’s work did more to cause stress for its targets and persecute private citizens. The committee was established to keep track of activities of people who were thought to present a threat to the nation.

Individuals who had German backgrounds were primary targets at first. Because of the Nazi presence in Europe, anyone who was suspected of having ties to German politics might be a subject for scrutiny. In the years just before and during World War II people of Japanese ancestry were also targets of HUAC.

As time went on, the committee began to gather information on, and spy on, people who were involved in “left wing” activities and those who were suspected of being involved with the Communist Party. Because it was an agency of the U.S. government, the committee was able to issue subpoenas that required individuals to appear at committee hearings.

Most present-day observers feel that the committee and its members abused their power by targeting people who had philosophies and beliefs that differed from the beliefs of the committee members. In many cases, no laws were broken by those investigated. In fact, people who had beliefs similar to those of the committee members were generally not investigated.

After being investigated by HUAC individuals were often not able to get new employment or move freely in society. Actors, directors and others in Hollywood were prime targets and often were “blacklisted” by the committee. This prevented them from working freely as they had prior to the investigations.

In recent years many people connect this committee with anti-Communism, but the original intent was protection of the U.S. from war-time enemies. HUAC sometimes used its powers to lead the fight against the union movement, with support from owners and managers of large corporations and other employers.

In addition, the committee also advanced the idea that there were hundreds of Communist Party members working in the United States government. Some individuals brought before the committee were asked to “admit” that they were members of the Communist Party. In a few cases people who were not members were sentenced to prison time anyway.

HUAC was not the same as the Joseph McCarthy committee hearings of later years, though both seemed to be connected to the term “Red Menace.” In some cases, individuals who simply held different ideas and beliefs were criminalized because of the committee hearings. A few individuals were called before the committee and grilled about their party affiliations simply because they had family members and friends who were suspect.

In many cases, the files constructed by the committee contained detailed personal information that might be helpful but often was of no practical use. In these cases, the individuals were seldom, if ever, guilty of any illegal or threatening activities.

 Print This Page