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The McCarthy Era

The McCarthy Era. The Hunt for Communists. Who was Joseph McCarthy?. Most famous anti-Communist Activist Ineffective 1 st three years in Senate Needed winning issue in 1950 to win Decided to sound alarm about Communists in the Government. Tactics. Made one unsupported claim after another

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The McCarthy Era

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  1. The McCarthy Era The Hunt for Communists

  2. Who was Joseph McCarthy? • Most famous anti-Communist Activist • Ineffective 1st three years in Senate • Needed winning issue in 1950 to win • Decided to sound alarm about Communists in the Government

  3. Tactics • Made one unsupported claim after another • Various times claimed to have names of 51, 87, and 205 Communists in State Dept. • Claimed Democrats guilty of “20 years of treason” for allowing communist infiltration. • Only made claims in Senate so could not be sued for Slander • Republicans allowed him to go on b/c hoped it would help win them a Republican presidency

  4. McCarthy’s Downfall • 1954, made accusations against the US army • RESULT: Nationally televised Senate Investigation • His bullying of witnesses alienated the audience = cost of public support • Senate condemned him for improper conduct • He died 3 years later, suffering from effects of alcoholism

  5. CAUSES SU establish communist regimes in E. Europe after WW2 SU develops A-Bomb quicker than expected Korean War ends in stalemate Republicans gain by accusing Truman/ Democrats of being soft on Communism Effects Millions of Americans forced to take loyalty oaths, undergo loyalty investigations Activism in Labor Unions goes into decline People are hesitant to speak out on public issues for fear they will be charged as Communists Anti-Communism continues to drive US foreign policy. Causes and Effects of McCarthyism

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