Communism in the US.
- Thread starter Sean
- Start date
Communism was never illegal, but there was a law passed in the forties that made it illegal to fraternize with groups that were interested in overthrowing the U.S. government. Back then, they also used it to go after right wing groups, like the American Nazi Party, but it later became associated primarily with communism.
"Blacklisting" had little to do with the law.
"Blacklisting" had little to do with the law.
Byron In Exile
Frederick Fucking Chopin
- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Posts
- 66,591
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
i'm not sure it ever was officially. the cpusa has been around for decades and eugene v. debs (yeah, i know. he was not a communist, but a socialist) was imprisoned for awhile, but it wasn't officially because he was a socialist. it was for sedition because he opposed our entry into ww1. some states may have had a few weird laws, but yeah, i really don't recall it ever being officially illegal to be a communist in the usa.
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
Then how did McCarthy get away with it?
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
because of the fear that communists = spies for joseph stalin.
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
Surely HUAC was in direct contravention of the first amendment?
Byron In Exile
Frederick Fucking Chopin
- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Posts
- 66,591
^ What he said.
Lancecastor
Lit's Most Beloved Poster
- Joined
- May 14, 2002
- Posts
- 54,670
Byron In Exile
Frederick Fucking Chopin
- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Posts
- 66,591
Not when treason is the matter.
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
what can i say, man? hysteria is a bitch.
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
I viewed post.
How is believing in a certain philosophy treason? Does the constitution regulate thought? Is the American system so fragile that belief in another way is treason?
Byron In Exile
Frederick Fucking Chopin
- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Posts
- 66,591
Nothing can stop the American people from voting to be communist.
And if they ever do that, then that decision is irreversible.
But it's highly unlikely to happen.
And if they ever do that, then that decision is irreversible.
But it's highly unlikely to happen.
BoyNextDoor
I hate liars
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2010
- Posts
- 14,158
McCarthy (or really "McCarthyism" ) relied on many laws that were later declared unconstitutional. My recollection is the California 'Loyalty Laws' requiring certain oaths and not taking the oath being a reason for doing time in jail were some of the ones most used and found not constitutional.
I didn't think that membership in the CP was actually illegal but I was wrong:
The Communist Control Act (68 Stat. 775, 50 U.S.C. 841-844) is a piece of United States federal legislation, signed into law by Dwight Eisenhower on 24 August 1954, which outlawed the Communist Party of the United States and criminalized membership in, or support for the Party or "Communist-action" organizations and defined evidence to be considered by a jury in determining participation in the activities, planning, actions, objectives, or purposes of such organizations.
I didn't think that membership in the CP was actually illegal but I was wrong:
The Communist Control Act (68 Stat. 775, 50 U.S.C. 841-844) is a piece of United States federal legislation, signed into law by Dwight Eisenhower on 24 August 1954, which outlawed the Communist Party of the United States and criminalized membership in, or support for the Party or "Communist-action" organizations and defined evidence to be considered by a jury in determining participation in the activities, planning, actions, objectives, or purposes of such organizations.
Last edited:
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
on a less serious note i've always found it funny that grampa walton was a bisexual communist who was blacklisted during the mccarthy era. this is mainly because my parents loved that show and they really hate it when i remind them of his less than wholesome reality. they're such prudes.
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
Which is relevant, how?
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
It's actually not a less serious note. A good actor had his career destroyed because RW fascist bastards abused your constitution.
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
huh. i had no idea.
Byron In Exile
Frederick Fucking Chopin
- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Posts
- 66,591
You viewed post.
Well, good for you.
No, it wasn't about philosophy, it was about treason.
The American system isn't "fragile," ... can we not talk about how small UK mens' dicks are? Because it's putting me off.
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
the not serious part is the way i make use of my knowledge.
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2001
- Posts
- 66,685
Sean
We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Posts
- 96,185
It's kind of sad, really.
U
