McCarthyism and Trial W. E. B. Du Bois

du bois (center) , other defendants peace information center prepare trial in 1951.

during 1950s, u.s. government s anti-communist mccarthyism campaign targeted du bois because of socialist leanings. historian manning marable characterizes government s treatment of du bois ruthless repression , political assassination .

the fbi began compile file on du bois in 1942, aggressive government attack against du bois occurred in 1950s, consequence of du bois s opposition nuclear weapons. in 1950 du bois became chairman of newly created peace information center (pic), worked publicize stockholm peace appeal in united states. primary purpose of appeal gather signatures on petition, asking governments around world ban nuclear weapons.

the u.s. justice department alleged pic acting agent of foreign state, , required pic register federal government. du bois , other pic leaders refused, , indicted failure register. after indictment, of du bois s associates distanced him, , naacp refused issue statement of support; many labor figures , leftists – including langston hughes – supported du bois.

he tried in 1951 represented civil rights attorney vito marcantonio. case dismissed before jury rendered verdict defense attorney told judge dr. albert einstein has offered appear character witness dr. du bois . du bois s memoir of trial in battle peace. though du bois not convicted, government confiscated du bois s passport , withheld 8 years.