Executive Order 9835

Definition

Executive Order 9835, signed by President Harry S. Truman on March 21, 1947, established a loyalty program for federal employees to investigate their allegiance to the United States. This order laid the groundwork for a broader campaign against perceived communist influences within the government, contributing to the climate of fear and suspicion that characterized McCarthyism and the Red Scare.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive Order 9835 required all federal employees to be investigated for their loyalty, leading to thousands being scrutinized and many losing their jobs.
2. The order was part of a larger effort by the Truman administration to combat the spread of communism in the aftermath of World War II.
3. This executive order was influenced by concerns over Soviet espionage and domestic communist sympathizers following events like the Venona Project revelations.
4. The implementation of this order set off a chain reaction of similar loyalty investigations at state and local levels across the United States.
5. The program under Executive Order 9835 contributed significantly to a culture of fear, resulting in many individuals facing false accusations and damage to their reputations without solid evidence.

Review Questions

• How did Executive Order 9835 contribute to the climate of fear during McCarthyism?
  • Executive Order 9835 significantly intensified the atmosphere of fear associated with McCarthyism by mandating loyalty investigations for federal employees. It institutionalized scrutiny over individuals' political beliefs and associations, leading many to live in constant fear of being accused or investigated. This created an environment where people were wary of expressing dissenting opinions or associating with certain groups, reinforcing McCarthy's agenda of rooting out alleged communists.
• Evaluate the implications of Executive Order 9835 on civil liberties in the United States during the Red Scare.
  • The implications of Executive Order 9835 on civil liberties were profound and troubling, as it facilitated widespread violations of personal rights. Many individuals faced invasive investigations into their private lives, and others were subjected to loyalty oaths that coerced them into proving their patriotism. This erosion of civil liberties marked a significant shift in American society, where fear dictated behavior, and dissent was often equated with disloyalty.
• Assess how Executive Order 9835 reflected broader national security concerns in post-World War II America and its long-term effects on American political culture.
  • Executive Order 9835 reflected deeper national security concerns in post-World War II America as fears of communism surged following the war. It signaled a shift towards prioritizing national security over individual freedoms, which led to systemic changes in how Americans viewed dissent and political opposition. Long-term effects included ongoing vigilance against perceived threats to democracy and a legacy of suspicion that would influence future governmental policies and public attitudes towards civil rights, especially during times of crisis.

Related terms

Loyalty Oaths: Statements signed by individuals affirming their loyalty to the United States, often required during investigations into suspected disloyalty.

McCarthyism: A period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the U.S. during the early 1950s, marked by Senator Joseph McCarthy's aggressive investigations and accusations against alleged communists.

Red Scare: A period of heightened fear of communist influence in the U.S., particularly after World War II, leading to widespread paranoia and governmental investigations.