Analyze and explain historian Henry Steele Commager's statement that "the anticommunist crusade promoted a new definition of American loyalty and identity."

Historian Henry Steele Commager's statement that "the anticommunist crusade promoted a new definition of American loyalty and identity" refers to the impact of the Red Scare and McCarthyism on American society in the mid-20th century.

During this time, there was a widespread fear of communist infiltration in the United States, leading to a fervent anti-communist movement. This movement not only targeted suspected communists and sympathizers, but also created a climate of suspicion and paranoia that affected all aspects of American life.

The anticommunist crusade led to a redefinition of American loyalty and identity by emphasizing the need for unwavering allegiance to the government and traditional American values. Those who were perceived as not fully supporting this ideology were often labeled as disloyal or unpatriotic. This created a climate of fear and conformity, where individuals felt pressured to prove their loyalty and distance themselves from anything that could be associated with communism.

In this way, the anticommunist crusade promoted a new definition of American loyalty and identity that prioritized conformity, suspicion of others, and a narrow interpretation of patriotism. It also had a lasting impact on American society, politics, and culture, shaping the way in which loyalty and identity were perceived for years to come.