A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, established in 1938, initially to investigate subversive activities of private citizens, public employees, and organizations suspected of having Communist or Fascist ties. Its activities gained significant prominence during the Cold War, focusing primarily on perceived threats within the United States. A key example of its work involved investigating alleged Communist influence in the Hollywood film industry.
The group played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the post-World War II era. It contributed to the heightened anxieties surrounding the Red Scare and influenced government policy related to national security and civil liberties. Its investigations, often conducted with a broad definition of what constituted “un-American” behavior, had a chilling effect on freedom of speech and association.
