ABSTRACT
During the height of Cold War fears about subversive activities of Communists in the United States, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) conducted highly publicized hearings to expose the Communist ties of individuals in public employment, education, labor unions, and other influential fields. The activities of HUAC raised serious civil liberties issues because they damaged the lives and careers of individuals based on their political associations and beliefs, fundamental liberties pursuant to the First Amendment to the US Constitution. HUAC's best-known activities took place during a time when anticommunism was a dominant concern in US politics. HUAC's activities were challenged as violations of civil liberties on a number of grounds. The committee's mandate was to consider legislation addressing the Communist menace, but its hearings took on aspects of court proceedings, yet without affording all of the rights guaranteed to the accused in criminal trials.
