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Communists in Tennessee? Red Scare, Highlander Folk School, & Civil Rights

During the 1950s, the conversation about Civil Rights in the United States and the prevalent fear of communism is often intertwined. Many Civil Rights activists are accused of supporting Communism. Highlander Folk School was a training center located near Monteagle, TN that supported the organized labor and Civil Rights movements and was investigated for supporting Communist activities. In 1959, the Tennessee General Assembly appoints a special investigating committee to look into alleged subversive activities at the school.

Weblink address (URL):

Home Page- source

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

In the course of the lesson, students will understand that many Tennesseans were uncomfortable with the aims of the Civil Rights Movement and attempted to connect the movement with Communism.

Essential and guiding questions:

How did Tennesseans feel about the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement?
How do people act when they are afraid?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Extension suggestions:

Have student view the FBI investigation documents at http://vault.fbi.gov/Highlander%20Folk%20School.
The Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” was arranged by Pete Seeger among others at the Highlander School. Have students listen to and read the lyrics and compare them to the objectives of the school. Lyrics: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9b.html#0919-0922
YouTube video with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYeqe3LewE
Compare the Highlander Folk School investigation with the investigations conducted by the House UnAmerican Activities Committee.

Helpful Hints

Materials Needed:

For Introductory Activity: Overhead projector, internet access for students, or printed cartoon
Printed copies of TSLA sources or internet access:
- “Time To Do Some Poking Around” political cartoon
- Edition of Common Sense
- Georgia Commission on Education, photograph 1
- Georgia Commission on Education, photograph 2
- Letter to Governor Clement expressing concerns over Communism
- Letter to Governor Clement expressing concernsover desegregation
- Letter to Governor Clement from Ms. Glen RoseJackson
- Official Policy of Highlander Folk School
- Subpoena of Myles Horton to appear before the 81st Tennessee General Assembly Special Investigating
- Committee of Highlander Folk School,1959
- Proposed questions to Myles Horton from Special InvestigatingCommittee
- Myles Horton Statement to Subcommittee of Internal Security of the Senate Judiciary Committee
- Testimony of Robert Degen before the 81st Tennessee General Assembly Special Investigating Committee of Highlander Folk School,1959
- Highlander Folk School Manuscript finding aid from TSLA