What was established to curb the spread of leftist sentiment during the Great Depression?

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was established to investigate and curb the spread of leftist sentiment and activities, particularly during the Great Depression and the subsequent rise of communism in the United States. The committee was created in 1938, primarily to address concerns about the influence of the Communist Party and other leftist organizations on American society and politics.

HUAC played a significant role in scrutinizing individuals and groups perceived as having ties to communist ideologies, leading to the investigation and sometimes persecution of many Americans, including government officials, entertainment figures, and labor leaders. The committee's actions reflected the broader fears of the time regarding communism, especially after World War II, when the Cold War intensified the U.S. government's efforts to combat what was seen as a growing threat to American values and democratic institutions.

The other entities listed, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), were established for different purposes. The FBI began before this period, focusing on various crimes including organized crime and espionage, while the NSA and CIA were founded later, with missions centered around intelligence gathering and national security, particularly during the Cold War.