The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a congressional committee that conducted investigations into alleged "subversive" activities by American citizens in the 1950s. The HUAC became infamous for its aggressive tactics, which included intimidating witnesses and ruining the reputations of those who refused to cooperate. Some possible synonyms for HUAC might include "McCarthyite," "Red-baiting," "anti-communist," or "witch hunt." These terms are often used to describe the hysteria and paranoia that characterized the era of the HUAC and its successors. Despite its controversial legacy, the HUAC remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of political extremism and the importance of protecting civil liberties.