redbaiting
Smearing as communist
Redbaiting is accusing someone of being a communist or communist sympathizer, typically to discredit them politically.
The tactic was especially prominent during the Cold War era, when the accusation alone could destroy careers and reputations.
The practice continues in diluted form whenever someone dismisses left-leaning views by associating them with Soviet-style communism: Any talk of universal healthcare gets dismissed as redbaiting.
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
character assassination · allegation · denunciation · vilification · finger-pointing · insinuation · name-calling · tarring
Red Scare congressional committee
- blacklistRecord of prohibited entities
- loyalty oathSworn commitment to faithfulness
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
- contempt of CongressOffense of obstructing legislative authority
informant · executive session · internal security · perjury · purge · J. Edgar Hoover · Joseph McCarthy · Edward R. Murrow
Deliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- blacklistingFormally marking for rejection
- scare tacticsMethods using alarm to influence
- demonizationCasting as evil
scapegoating · stigmatization · ostracism · suppression · persecution · coercion · threats · pressure
Opposition to collectivist ideology
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- domino theoryContagious political collapse belief
- Soviet threatPerceived USSR danger
- Iron CurtainCold War's political divide
subversion · fifth column · national security · infiltration · Truman Doctrine · foreign agent · sleeper cell
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- demagogueryManipulative political rhetoric
polarization · smear campaign · talking points · dog whistle · straw man · ideological · inflammatory · divisive
smear
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
mudslinging · character assassination · allegation · denunciation · vilification · finger-pointing · insinuation · name-calling · tarring · labeling
HUAC
Red Scare congressional committee
- blacklistRecord of prohibited entities
- loyalty oathSworn commitment to faithfulness
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
contempt of Congress · informant · executive session · internal security · perjury · purge · J. Edgar Hoover · Joseph McCarthy · Edward R. Murrow · clearance
fearmongering
Deliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- blacklistingFormally marking for rejection
- scare tacticsMethods using alarm to influence
demonization · scapegoating · stigmatization · ostracism · suppression · persecution · coercion · threats · pressure · silencing
anticommunism
Opposition to collectivist ideology
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- domino theoryContagious political collapse belief
- Soviet threatPerceived USSR danger
Iron Curtain · subversion · fifth column · national security · infiltration · Truman Doctrine · foreign agent · sleeper cell
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
demagoguery · polarization · smear campaign · talking points · dog whistle · straw man · ideological · inflammatory · divisive
baited, baits, baiting, baiters, baiter, witch hunt, red scare, redbaiter, redbaiters