Question

In what year did the House Un-American Activities Committee investigate the movie industry in an attempt to root out communist sympathizers?

Answer 1

Depends.

Explanation:

Historians argue that the date can vary. One big date is 1947, when 10 people from Hollywood denounced HUAC's activities. That led HUAC to investigate even more. A lot of people were investigated (Even Lucille Ball!) to seek out communists. One big person in this system was Wisconsin Republican senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthyism is a term derived from this era, in which it is defined as making accusations without regard for evidence. This is what McCarthy did, anyone who opposed him was labeled a communist by him. There's a book on McCarthy and all of the people and organization they accused and investigated. Its called "Encyclopedia of the McCarthy Era."