The Hollywood Blacklist was a period during the late 1940s and 1950s when many writers, directors, and actors were barred from working in the film industry due to their alleged connections to the Communist Party. This was largely a response to the fear of communism in the United States, particularly during the Cold War. The blacklist was enforced by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which investigated individuals in Hollywood. Many talented professionals lost their careers, and some were forced to work under pseudonyms. The blacklist began to fade in the late 1950s, but its impact on the industry and individual lives was profound.