Maybe looking at the times through the artistic viewpoint of two men that were involved might help Joe.
Arthur Miller defied the HUAC.
His two plays 'the Crucible" and "A view from the Bridge". Which express his feelings about that era. Perhaps reading these Plays might help see things through Miller's eyes. I know there was a 1990ish film based on the Crucible but it was awful but there maybe another earlier Film. Ill check.
The there was Elia Kazan. he named names to the HUAC, perhaps "On the Waterfront" would give a glimpse into how Kazan viewed the Witchhunt.
The Salem Witch Trails, to me, might be an interesting way to look at the HUAC
Just a thought.
Sounds like a good project:)
Love and Light
Jude