House Committee on Un-American Activities

Established as a special committee in the United States House of Representatives in 1938, it was elevated to a standing committee in 1945 and played a central role in the anti-communist "Red Scare" of McCarthyism. Presidents Nixon and Reagan both gained political recognition for the committee's brilliant work. Founded under the leadership of conservatives in Congress who considered communism and the liberal left to be "un-American and subversive of the government," the committee provided a platform for many right-wing and fascist groups to promote themselves, intervened in labor movements and peace and democracy movements, and labeled many celebrities as "communists" and expelled them, plunging the nation into a state of "anti-communist hysteria." A trend of attacking opposing candidates as "communists" spread even in elections for labor unions and PTA officials, and freedom of thought and speech was suppressed in the name of anti-communism. Many university professors and teachers lost their jobs and were socially ostracized. Congress enacted several anti-communist laws in accordance with the committee's recommendations.

In 1969, the committee was renamed the House Internal Security Committee and continued to engage in activities such as summoning anti-Vietnam War activists, but it no longer played the major role it had previously.

[Uesugi Shinobu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アメリカ合衆国連邦下院議会で1938年特別委員会として設立され、45年に常設委員会に昇格し、反共「赤狩り」のマッカーシズム時代に中心的役割を果たした委員会。ニクソン、レーガン両大統領はこの委員会での華々しい活動を認められ、政治的に進出した。共産主義やリベラル左派を「非アメリカ的、政府転覆的」とする議会内保守派の指導下につくられたこの委員会は、多数の右翼、ファシズム団体に宣伝の場を与え、労働運動、平和・民主主義運動に介入したほか、多くの有名人に「共産主義」のレッテルを貼(は)って追放、全国を「反共ヒステリー」状態に陥れた。労働組合をはじめPTA役員選挙ですら、対立候補を「アカ」だと攻撃する風潮が広がり、思想・言論の自由は、反共主義の名の下に抑圧された。多くの大学教授、教師が職を失い、社会的に追放された。議会は本委員会の勧告に従って、いくつかの共産主義取締法を制定した。

　その後、1969年同委員会は、国内安全委員会House Internal Security Committeeと改称し、ベトナム反戦活動家を召喚するなどの活動に従事したが、かつてほど大きな役割は果たせなくなった。

［上杉　忍］

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