Chapter 33: America’s Anti-Communist Lessons (Part 6)

In 1953, McCarthy also conducted a review of books in U.S. embassies abroad. Seventy-five authors’ works were banned, and nearly two million books were removed. Within the broader anti-communist climate across the U.S., the Communist Control Act of 1954 attempted to classify the Communist Party as an illegal organization, declaring that it “cannot enjoy any legal rights, privileges, or exemptions.” This act reflected the judgment of both the U.S. government and public toward communism. McCarthyism had far-reaching influence, rendering the American Communist Party a “hibernating bear” unable to operate freely. The number of U.S. Communist Party members today is roughly 2,000.

McCarthyism has been widely criticized by later generations. Many Americans still resent the harm it caused intellectuals, equating McCarthy’s flawed methods with the correctness of his goals. Wei Jingsheng offered a clear perspective: “McCarthy caused American intellectuals to suffer and lose jobs. But at the same time, the Chinese Communist Party executed millions of counter-revolutionaries nationwide. Which was better, McCarthy or the CCP?”

A correct anti-communist goal does not guarantee correct methods; flawed methods cannot achieve correct objectives. McCarthy’s overall anti-communist direction was correct, though his methods were excessively broad. One should not dismiss his accurate assessment of communism’s nature simply because of execution errors. Clearly, McCarthy pursued personal political ambition under the guise of anti-communism, failing to oppose communism as an ideology. Communism, as a political belief, is incompatible with faith in God. It represents a regression in human civilization. Totalitarian states represented by the USSR and the CCP, based on class struggle, inflicted enormous suffering on their peoples in the 20th century. Anti-communism should target totalitarian regimes, not ordinary citizens. This historical lesson remains vital today.

In the 1980s, President Reagan, who played a key role in the collapse of the Soviet Union, openly condemned the USSR as an “evil empire.” Reagan stated that for decades, the Soviet Union deliberately murdered and abused its people, with millions slaughtered. Communism is a tragic and perverse chapter in human history, now nearing its end. Soviet communism is bound to collapse and be buried in history’s ashes.

The public and outspoken denunciation of communism by resolute U.S. presidents exemplified ideological struggle, serving as a policy model in combating communist ideology.

Early in his political career, President Nixon also voiced anti-communist positions. He once stated that if one loses the ideological struggle, all weapons, treaties, trade, foreign aid, and cultural relations become meaningless. Unfortunately, in 1972, he exceptionally flew to Beijing and bowed to the CCP. Nixon lost the ideological struggle, becoming an accomplice to the CCP’s murderous apparatus.

After Reagan, few U.S. presidents openly condemned communism or the CCP. During large-scale repressive events like the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, U.S. presidents made political statements and assisted exiles but soon after resumed cordial relations with the CCP. Ideological power could not compete with capital power.

Many U.S. presidents have neglected the ideological struggle against communism. Meanwhile, the CCP has infiltrated the U.S. comprehensively. America’s open-door policy allowed unchecked communist propaganda, without countermeasures. The CCP’s closed, fortified system prevented U.S. infiltration, creating a one-sided advantage. Ideological struggle became asymmetric, and in the battle for hearts and minds, the U.S. was clearly disadvantaged. The CCP invested massive financial and human resources in ideological warfare, successfully indoctrinating many. U.S. academia also saw scholars sympathetic to communism, some leaking advanced technology, and teaching students pro-communist ideas. Consequently, some foreign students engaged in communist activities abroad. For instance, nine Chinese students at the University of Illinois formed an overseas Marxist-Leninist student branch, offering party classes and political training. All nine were expelled and sent back to China.

The CCP has even used its external propaganda apparatus to influence U.S. politicians. Representative Ashley Hinson’s office received China Daily from the CCP’s publicity machinery. She denounced it as “aggressive garbage,” a dangerous propaganda outlet. Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, China Daily is registered as a foreign agent, and its staff are barred from congressional press galleries. Yet, under U.S. press freedom, copies still reached congressional offices. Hinson wrote to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, requesting the cessation of CCP publications being distributed in Congress.

After U.S.-China diplomatic normalization in 1979, the spread of communist ideology was not viewed as a threat. In the early 1950s, McCarthyism countered communist infiltration, with congressional inquiries into suspected pro-communist diplomats. Although most were cleared, leftist sympathies existed. Since Nixon’s 1972 visit to Mao, ideological vigilance relaxed. By Clinton’s presidency, the U.S. hoped for China’s peaceful evolution, assuming economic development would lead to democracy. Human rights abuses were largely ignored.

Today, the top global priority is ending communism—both for world civilization and to rescue the Chinese nation from the communist virus. The CCP is the last bastion of communism. U.S. presidents must assume global leadership, compelling the CCP to abandon communism and transition to democracy. Ideological struggle must intensify, confronting communism directly. The U.S. should establish robust ideological warfare departments to match the CCP’s extensive propaganda apparatus, exposing communist crimes, lies, and falsified history, dismantling the “information Berlin Wall” that isolates the Chinese people, and promoting democratic and free ideas to counter the CCP’s indoctrination.

Beyond government efforts, civil society should be encouraged and funded to conduct ideological struggle: support anti-communist media, assist citizens under CCP rule to fight for freedom, and create simultaneous internal and external pressure on the CCP. Recognizing communism and totalitarianism’s true nature is the prerequisite to eradicating them. Without this understanding, the communist virus may resurface in another nation.

The 2016 rise of Trump, claiming “America First,” alienated European allies and returned to isolationism, effectively prioritizing “Trump First.” This represented a national embarrassment. The 2020 election of Biden restored normal relations with allies and repositioned the U.S. to exert decisive influence in international politics.

The U.S. cannot act in isolation; it must lead globally. Presidential campaigns often focus on domestic economics to appeal to voters, but a U.S. president must also lead the world. The responsibility of global leadership is even more important than domestic concerns. The U.S. maintains 11 aircraft carriers not only for national defense but to act as global police and peacekeeper. Without this, world order cannot remain stable. If the U.S. president fails to assume global leadership, disorder will persist worldwide.