McCarthyism

The Crucible

Senator Joseph McCarthy

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Even though McCarthyism started long before McCarthy was in the picture, he was known for causing the biggest communist scare within the

United States.

McCarthy said he had a list of 250 communists

who infiltrated the United States government.

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) held public hearings to investigate and expose communist activities in government, education, entertainment, labor and other fields. (Hollywood was hit particularly hard).

Getting Accused

People would be coerced into admitting their

past involvement with the Communist party, renounce the party, and name other people who were/are associated with the party. Only these people were able to enter society as respectable citizens again.

People who would not name names were subjected to penalties, some so extreme as being fired from their job, losing their house, or being blacklisted.

Hearings

Committee practiced “guilt by association”

and relied on dubious testimony by paid, anonymous informants.

Witnesses could not confront their accusers, and there was no evidence.

McCarthy tries to take on the army and accuse them of also hosting communists within the ranks.

Many people were afraid of McCarthy’s bullying tactics, so they did not speak out against him.

Ridiculousness

McCarthy finally accuses the army council’s

legal assistant of being a Communist. The council responds that enough is enough,

so McCarthy needs to stop his accusations. McCarthy was censured for “Conduct Contrary

to Senatorial Tradition.” McCarthy died within three years. The FBI continued hunting potential

communists until 1975.

The Aftermath