What was the primary target of the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)?

The House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) primarily targeted elements within Hollywood, television, and Broadway as part of its efforts to investigate and combat alleged communist influence in the entertainment industry. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, the committee feared that artists, filmmakers, and writers were using their platforms to spread communist ideologies. As a result, HUAC conducted hearings where many industry professionals were summoned to testify about their political affiliations and the affiliations of their colleagues.

This focus on Hollywood was particularly significant because the film industry was one of the most influential in shaping public opinion at the time. The committee's actions included blacklisting individuals, which had a lasting negative impact on many careers. The Hollywood Ten, a group of writers and directors who refused to cooperate with HUAC, became emblematic of this era of suspicion and repression.

While other choices might cover important aspects of American history, they do not directly relate to the specific focus of HUAC's investigations during its most active years. Unionized labor movements, political parties, and foreign governments were relevant in various contexts, but the entertainment industry was under particularly intense scrutiny, making it the primary target of HUAC.