Government Printing Office Anti-Communist Order Form

In this artifact, we see an order form addressed to the Superintendent of Documents at the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. The form, likely created and disseminated by a conservative group, lists a series of official reports and transcripts published in the late 1950s and early 1960s by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and related Senate subcommittees.

Marked with handwritten notes about “Anti-Comm’y” and “Meetings Tues. nights,” this document reveals the breadth of anti-communist literature disseminated by U.S. government bodies and highlights the fervor of the era known as the Red Scare.

Historical Context

Emerging after World War II, the Red Scare grew largely from fears of Soviet expansionism and the belief that communists had infiltrated various levels of American society. HUAC, established prior to World War II, rose to national prominence in the post-war period by investigating purported communist ties in the entertainment industry, academia, and government. Its work reflected Cold War anxieties, influencing public opinion and legislation.

The titles listed on this order form—ranging from “Communist Psychological Warfare: Brainwashing” to “The Kremlin’s Espionage and Terror Organizations”—underscore the committee’s strategy of framing communism as an immediate, all-pervasive threat. Subtitles like “Permit Communist Conspirators to Be Teachers” heightened the sense of alarm by implying a danger lurking within everyday American institutions, including schools.

Strategy, Language, and Symbolism

Alarmist Language: The documents’ titles emphasize words like “terror,” “conspirators,” and “espionage,” evoking fear and urgency. This language was calculated to rally widespread support for anti-communist initiatives, suggesting an unrelenting enemy at the nation’s doorstep.
Authoritative Tone: The repeated references to government testimonies and official subcommittee reports lent a veneer of credibility and gravity.
Targeting Institutions and Individuals: Implying infiltration in youth groups, educational settings, and religious organizations, these publications stoked public anxiety about seemingly benign spheres, suggesting nowhere was safe from communist influence.

Impact

The rhetorical power of these documents helped HUAC and affiliated committees drive investigations and public hearings that captured headlines well into the 1960s. No doubt, this form helped to draw attention to the perceived threat of communism and rally new anti-communist activists.

Over time, growing criticism of HUAC’s methods—most notably its reliance on guilt-by-association—led to a backlash that tarnished its reputation. By 1975, the House Committee on Internal Security (successor to HUAC) was dissolved, mirroring the waning influence of official anti-communist hunts.

This artifact is an important reminder of how fear-based messaging can shape public opinion, government policy, and even broader cultural attitudes. Contemporary observers can draw parallels between anti-communist rhetoric of the 1950s and any modern movements that employ similar tactics of alarmism or demonization. It also underscores the vital role of scrutiny and civil liberties when governmental powers expand in the name of national security.

This order form offers insights into how fear can be weaponized through official documents, highlighting the enduring tension between security and freedom of expression.

Special thanks to the USC Digital Imaging Lab for their support in digitizing this item.