U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives established in 1938 to investigate alleged communist influence and activities within the United States. During the Cold War, especially in the late 1940s and 1950s, it held hearings to uncover communist infiltration in government, entertainment, and other sectors. Its investigations often led to blacklisting and widespread fear, highlighting concerns about loyalty and subversion. HUAC's activities became controversial for their methods and impact on civil liberties, and it was eventually inactive after the 1970s.