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1) Ideological differences - since the Russian revolution of 1917 there had been some fear of communism in America because of its ideas of Nationally owned companies and government intervention went against the American values of the American Dream and non-intervention.
2) 1947 - Hollywood Ten - 10 prominent writers and directors were asked by HUAC (The House UnAmerican Activities Committee) to confirm whether they had ever been members of the Communist party. The 10 used the 5th ammendment and were subsequently imprisoned. Led to fear for some Americans that anybody could be a communist.
3) 1948 - Alger Hiss - had worked for President FDR - there were allegations of espionage and in 1948 he was accused of being a high ranking member of the communist party. During the investigation a microfilm was found containing state department secrets - the documents had been copied onto a typewriter traced to Hiss.
In January 1950 - he was sentenced to 5 years. This event led to fear that even members of the government were communist.
4) 1950 - The Rosenbergs - charged with transpiring to transmit top secret bomb specifications to USSR. In 1953 they were executed. They appeared to many to be a normal couple - reinforced the fear that anyone even your neighbour could be communist.
5) The McCarran Act 1950 - series of measures which illustrated the fact that the government so concerned that it had abandoned the ideal of freedom of speech.
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