Hollywood Ten
Ten directors who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee
Real World Example
The Hollywood Ten were a group of film directors and screenwriters who, in 1947, refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about alleged communist influences in Hollywood. This event was significant during the Cold War because it highlighted the fear of communism in the U.S. and the lengths to which the government would go to root out perceived threats. The Hollywood Ten were blacklisted, meaning they couldn't work in the industry, which emphasized the tension between free speech and national security. Today, this event reminds us of the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms, even during times of fear or crisis. In everyday life, this means valuing and upholding personal freedoms, like expressing different opinions without fear of unfair treatment or punishment.
