Hollywood actually created this list because they wanted to appear to be patriotic during the post World War II political climate when anticommunism was at an all time high. “With the dawning of the Cold War, anti-communist legislators grew concerned that the movie industry could serve as a source of subversive propaganda. Although popular Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s offered little evidence of an overriding Socialist agenda, the investigation proceeded. In October 1947, more than 40 people with connections to the movie industry received subpoenas to appear before HUAC on suspicion of holding communist loyalties or being involved in subversive activities.” (History.com Staff, 2009). This communist witch hunt had a negative impact on Hollywood because it resulted in the loss of some of the industry's most prominent talent, which included actors, screenwriters and directors. And, since communism was considered the greatest threat to American society at the time, many of these talented professionals were never able to resume their careers--causing a tremendous
Hollywood actually created this list because they wanted to appear to be patriotic during the post World War II political climate when anticommunism was at an all time high. “With the dawning of the Cold War, anti-communist legislators grew concerned that the movie industry could serve as a source of subversive propaganda. Although popular Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s offered little evidence of an overriding Socialist agenda, the investigation proceeded. In October 1947, more than 40 people with connections to the movie industry received subpoenas to appear before HUAC on suspicion of holding communist loyalties or being involved in subversive activities.” (History.com Staff, 2009). This communist witch hunt had a negative impact on Hollywood because it resulted in the loss of some of the industry's most prominent talent, which included actors, screenwriters and directors. And, since communism was considered the greatest threat to American society at the time, many of these talented professionals were never able to resume their careers--causing a tremendous