Communism is any ideology based on the communal ownership of all property and a classless social structure, with economic production and distribution to be directed and regulated by means of an authoritative economic plan that supposedly embodies the interests of the community as a whole (Johnson). The United States created policies to stop the spread of communism out of the fear that it will one day overthrow democracy throughout the world. Americans believed that everyone in the world freedom and liberty in their country. To most communism may look good at first glance, but once put into practice the nations citizens realize that not everyone benefits.
The first film viewed was the Red Menace. Released in 1949, the Red Menace portrayed the daily tasks of the small, but brutal communist party living in the United States. The party begins by recruiting new members such as ex-GI Bill Jones. Jones was a victim of the government housing project which made him an ideal candidate for the party. The communist party targets those who are unpleased with their own government and are looking for a way to better themselves for the future. Jones begins going to communist protests and attending informative classes about the party. Things are going smoothly for Jones until one class, a man disagrees with the teachings of the party, believing that spreading communism through force and violence is against civil liberties. The man is escorted out and where he is killed by party members. The paper the following day reads, Anthony Reachi killed because he was a communist (RM, Springsteen 1949)! The party manipulates the paper by making them a victim of a hate crime and demands the arrest of the murders. They are able to silence any possible nah sayers within the party without thinking twice about it. Members weren't allowed to think freely, only what the party allowed them to think. (RM, Springsteen 1949).