Discover the origins of a wild conspiracy theory about a supposed government concentration camp in Alaska, involving brainwashing, Scientology, and communist-hunting housewives in the 1950s.
55:39
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The private family-owned Morning Side Hospital in Portland, Oregon was the only option for Alaskans in need of mental health care in the 1950s, leading to disproportionate rates of institutionalization and the spread of the false 'Siberia USA' conspiracy theory.
Right-wing housewife activists in Southern California feared the influence of mental health professionals and believed they were using brainwashing techniques to dismantle traditional values, leading to the emergence of a conservative movement.
Deep dives
The Mental Health Crisis in 1950s Alaska
In the 1950s, Alaska faced a severe lack of mental health care facilities, with Morning Side Hospital in Portland, Oregon being the only option for Alaskans in need. The process to get treatment involved getting arrested, facing a jury trial with little input from doctors, and enduring grueling journeys to Oregon. The private family-owned Morning Side Hospital was ill-equipped to handle the diverse range of patients, including children with developmental disabilities and elderly individuals with dementia. Alaskans, especially Native Alaskans, often faced disproportionate rates of institutionalization. Efforts to change the situation were hindered by rumors and conspiracy theories, including the infamous "Siberia USA" theory, which falsely claimed that a psychiatric facility in Alaska was meant to be a gulag for political dissenters.
The Rise of Right-Wing Activism in Southern California
In the 1950s, Southern California saw the emergence of right-wing activism fueled by suburban growth and a fear of encroaching liberalism. Housewife activists formed women's organizations and saw themselves as defenders of American values against the perceived threat of communism. These women, mostly white and affluent, engaged in political organizing, often targeting schools and the education system. They believed that leftist infiltrators, including mental health professionals, were using their influence to brainwash Americans and gradually dismantle traditional values. Their activism, while mocked by some, gained strength and influenced the conservative movement that would emerge in the ensuing decades.
The Lucille Miller Case and Paranoia about Mental Health
The case of Lucille Miller, an anti-Semitic activist from Bethel, Vermont, became a rallying point for right-wing housewife activists who feared that psychiatrists had the power to have them declared insane and institutionalized for their political views. Miller's arrest for inciting men to evade the draft led to her being diagnosed as mentally ill, sparking concerns among activists about the potential misuse of psychiatric diagnoses. The California activists believed that anyone with the slightest health issue could be declared insane, leading to imprisonment in a psychiatric Gulag, an idea that culminated in the Siberia USA conspiracy theory. Although the theory was debunked, it had a significant impact on public perception and contributed to a distrust of mental health professionals.
The Impact on the Alaskan Mental Health Bill
The conspiracy theory surrounding the Alaskan mental health bill known as the Siberia USA theory caused a widespread uproar among right-wing activists. Letters flooded senators' offices, putting the bill's passage in jeopardy. However, Senator Barry Goldwater managed to salvage the bill when he proposed a minor modification to remove the controversial section that the activists believed would allow for widespread institutionalization. The bill eventually passed, leading to the establishment of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. While conservative activists claimed victory, the real impact was the improved access to mental health care for Alaskans who had previously been isolated and underserved in terms of psychiatric treatment.
When Alaskans wanted their own mental-health facility, a rumor took hold all over America. This week, Evan Chung traces the origins of that far-right conspiracy theory: that the government was building a concentration camp where Americans would get imprisoned for their political beliefs. Get ready for a strange tale that involves a brainwashing manual, Scientology, and a vast network of Communist-hunting housewives.
Josh Levin is One Year’s editorial director. One Year’s senior producer is Evan Chung.
This episode was produced by Kelly Jones and Evan Chung, with additional production by Sophie Summergrad.
It was edited by Josh Levin, Joel Meyer, and Derek John, Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.
Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director.
Join Slate Plus to get a bonus 1955 story at the end of the season. Slate Plus members also get to listen to all Slate podcasts without any ads. Sign up now to support One Year.
