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

The primary purpose of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was to expose and defeat alleged communist influences in film. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, in the context of the Cold War and the Red Scare, HUAC played a significant role in investigating individuals and organizations suspected of having communist ties or sympathies. This included scrutinizing the film industry, where many in Hollywood were accused of promoting communist ideologies through their work.

The committee summoned numerous filmmakers, writers, and actors to testify, leading to a climate of fear and censorship. The infamous Hollywood blacklist emerged as a consequence, where many artists found themselves barred from employment due to alleged communist affiliations or refusal to cooperate with HUAC. This effectively showcased HUAC's focus on identifying and rooting out what they viewed as a Threat to American values and democracy, particularly in cultural expressions such as film.

In contrast, other options pertain to aspects that were not the central aim of HUAC. Promoting new film technologies, supporting film unions and workers' rights, or regulating film content for educational purposes do not reflect the committee's primary function, which was solely concerned with the political implications of film and potential subversion by communists.