McCarthyism, Media, and Political Repression: Evidence from Hollywood
Demagogues have existed throughout history, yet their impact on individuals and society remains little understood. We study a far-reaching episode of demagoguery in American history. From the late 1940s to 1950s, anti-communist hysteria led by Senator Joseph McCarthy and others gripped the nation. Hollywood became a key battleground, where hundreds were accused of having communist ties. To study the Red Scare in Hollywood, we assemble a unique collection of individual and film data spanning 1930-1970. We show that the anti-communist accusations targeted progressive personalities with dissenting views. Actors and screenwriters who were accused experienced a setback in their careers lasting a decade or more. Beyond the accused, we also document a decline in progressive films during the McCarthy era. We provide suggestive evidence that this shift in film content made society more conservative. Areas more exposed to the decline in film progressiveness saw increased Republican support in presidential elections.
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