Late 1940s-50s American McCarthyism is well known as a political development which included red-baiting accusations and sub-committee investigations leading to ostracization and blacklisting of various citizens, often publicly known politicians, community leaders and entertainers, as well as creating a still-persisting ideological discourse.
However, I have not heard much about the social reactions to McCarthyism, and whether any forms of resistance or community groups developed in reaction to it. Are there examples of opposition that developed to defend against, protect against, or even oppose the red scare threats and McCarthyism? I do not mean by this whether existing unions or political groups got more active or political, but more so whether new groups formed in reaction to the accusations and scare tactics. These could be community groups small or large, geographic or industry centered.
Any suggested reading would be appreciated.
My knowledge of this is tangential, so I'll avoid specifics and offer some reading:
Rick Fried's The Russians are Coming!The Russians are Coming! gets into the social issues presented by Cold War anti-communism. It's not an extremely detailed study, but rather a macro-ish look at some of the ways 'regular' (whatever that is) people dealt with the perceived Soviet threat. Things like Loyalty Day and Flag Day and all that sort of thing are discussed well, and in very nice prose.
Ellen Schrecker's Many are the Crimes. is, as the title would suggest, a very strong damnation of the anti-communist movement. It may no longer be the standard, current text, but it's fine reading and gets into the politics and some of the deeper motivations for McC and his ilk.