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Analyzing Edgar Hoover's Communist Movement

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Analyzing Edgar Hoover's Communist Movement
John Edgar Hoover
1895-1972
Background
Born on New Years Day 1895 in Washington DC
Parents Anne Marie and Dickerson Naylor Hoover Snr
“Mother was the dominant influence in his life” Phillips
His birth certificate was not filed until he was 43
Competed in debate team (against women voting and the abolition of death penalty)
Nicknamed speed (stutter) and was applauded by his cool and relentless logic
Father suffered from mental illness and was institutionalised
“Instead of sympathising…wasn’t kind o his father…couldn’t bear imperfection least of all in the humans around him especially those who he was closest too” Summers
Education
Bachelor of Laws from George Washington University Law School in 1916
Masters of Law in same university 1917 …show more content…
Hoover ignored ban and leaked information to congressmen who wanted to advance anti-communist cause (information acquired illegally)
Communism and Spies
“Make America a great and decent place to live in” Hoover
Hoover wanted to show dangers of communism and that Truman wasn’t equipped
“Communism in reality is not a political party, it is a way of life, an evil and malignant way of life” Hoover
Hoover convinced there was a communist conspiracy to overthrow government
Senator McCarthy
Accused some of the most influential Americans of being communists
“if there is one communist in the state department, that’s one too many” McCarthy
McCarthy used Hoover as a source of information to support accusations
Hoover used McCarthy as tool to advance his regressive agenda
McCarthy was getting out of control  began to criticize Eisenhower for being to soft on communists
McCarthy revealed letter from Hoover (after he promised he wouldn’t)
Letter claimed there were communists in army
Hoover denied sending the letter
Hoover ended McCarthy’s career whilst preserving own
In 1954 Hoover complained to president that McCarthy was impending the FBIs investigations of communists  Hoover cut McCarthy off from any FBI
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