Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1

"Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area--Part 1" by the United States Congress House Committee on Un-American Activities, chronicles a series of congressional hearings focused on uncovering Communist influence in Seattle during the mid-20th century. The narrative unfolds through the testimonies of individuals like Eugene Victor Dennett, whose intimate knowledge of the Communist Party in the Pacific Northwest provides a revealing look into the party's inner workings. From the outset, the hearings establish a formal process to examine the committee's organization and objectives, as Dennett's testimony exposes details about his involvement, from his early membership to his role in recruitment. The story illuminates the underlying social, economic, and political dynamics that fueled the Communist movement, especially during the Great Depression and the labor movements that followed.