McCarthy's Journeys of Anti-Communism (Witch Hunts)

Following World War II, United States became a nation that feared communism. This fear became so ingrained in the people of the U.S., that they began to turn to desperate measures just for their safety.

Republican Senator, Joseph McCarthy was known to be the most anti-Communist activist of his time. He supported the ideas of McCarthyism, which were attacks on suspected communists. He falsely stated that he had names of 57, 81, and 205 communists in the State Department. The Republicans did nothing to stop McCarthy, because they wanted him to win in the elections of 1952. McCarthy was smart to keep his accusations in the senate, so as to avoid slander or being sued. Later, in 1954, McCarthy accused the United States Army of believing in communist ideals. This sparked a massive senate investigation. He lost most of his previous support and he was condemned for "improper conduct" by dishonoring the senate. Only three years later, McCarthy, suffering from alcoholism, died alone.

Though McCarthy was no longer the anti-communist's focused leader, many supporters continued to fight for his ideas. By 1953, 39 states made it illegal to support the overthrow of government. This law allows theses states to avoid future violent protests by resisting people.

By: Shelly and Tierney

McCarthyism In The 1950s

In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin realized that he needed a winning issue in order a remain a Senator after the 1952 election. During his first three years in office, he had acquired the reputation of an ineffective legislator and had slim chances of re-election. So he began a campaign to expose suspected Communists within the government. During the next few years, he claimed to have the names of up to 205 Communists inside the State Department. However, when pressed, he never actually revealed a single name. He made sure to accuse his suspects only in the Senate, where he was legally immune from being sued for slander. But he finally met his downfall in 1954 when he accused the United States Army, which resulted in a nationally televised Senate investigation. When Americans saw the way McCarthy bullied his witnesses, he lost public support. The Senate condemned him for improper conduct and the Wisconsin Senator faded into obscurity. Three years later, he died after a bout of alcoholism. But his influence remained strong. 39 states had passed laws making it illegal to advocate the violent overthrow of the government, while the American public was consumed by an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. People were forced to swear that they were not Communists before being able to participate in any public event. Luckily, these so called McCarthyism laws were later pronounced illegal, as they violated First Amendment rights.

Picture credit: http://www.nndb.com/people/490/000051337/joseph_mccarthy.jpg

McCarthy's "Witch Hunt"

Senator Joseph McCarthy, from Wisconsin, had a reputation as a bad legislator and in order to regain respect and earn votes for the upcoming election, he knew he needed a big issue. He began claiming that communists were taking over the government, thus making him one of the most famous anti-communist activists. He founded the ideas of McCarthyism which is unsupported accusations on suspected communists. McCarthy claimed to know of hundreds of Communists in the State Department, but he never produced a single name. He played it safe and only made these accusations in the Senate where he had legal immunity to protect him. Other republicans did almost nothing to stop him from making these attacks because they thought it would help win the 1952 presidential election. In 1954 McCarthy made accusations against the United States Army that was followed up by an investigation. McCarthy bullied the witness in the investigation, and was condemned by the Senate for "improper Conduct". He died in 1957 from alcoholism. 

-By Jennah and Kathleen