McCarran Internal Security Act

The McCarran Internal Security Act, passed in 1950, was a U.S. law aimed at addressing perceived threats of communism during the Cold War. It required organizations with links to communism to register with the government and mandated that their members provide information about their activities. The law also authorized the detention of individuals deemed dangerous in an emergency. Critics argued it infringed on civil liberties by targeting political beliefs, while supporters claimed it was necessary for national security. Overall, the Act reflected the intense fears of communism in post-World War II America.