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McCarthyism and the Crack Down in the 1950’s. By: Cameron, Mason, Gil, and Justin. What Was The Cold War.
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McCarthyism and the Crack Down in the 1950’s By: Cameron, Mason, Gil, and Justin
What Was The Cold War • The Cold War lasted from 1947 to 1991. It was characterized by a sustained state of political military and cultural tension between the Soviet Union along with the Warsaw pact and the united state and allied countries. This began after the success of the temporary war time alliance against Nazi Germany, leaving the U.S.S.R and the U.S as two superpowers with profound economic and political differences. The cold war was so named because the two major powers never meet in direct military combat.
What is McCarthyism • The political practice of accusing people of treason or anti-government activities without solid truth. It was named after Joseph McCarthy because of his vicious verbal attacks on individuals he believed to be communist.
Who Was Joseph McCarthy • He was born on November 14, 1908, and died on May 2, 1957. He was an American Politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator for the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. He was married to Jean Kerr McCarthy they had one child they named her Tierney Elizabeth McCarthy.
What Was His Downfall • Started when Edward R. Murrow started a program where he would talk on any topic for 30 minutes. He picked “McCarthyism” as one and showed a case involving a loyal soldier who served in the air force for 10 years. He was accused of crime because he still had a relationship with his father and sister who read communist literature and placed in jail. This soldier was released because people didn’t think he was a security threat. After this aired, people started questioning McCarthy. Later, more radio shows started talking about McCarthy and calling him a “Political Bully.” then, there was a case that was televised with the Army accusing McCarthy for his wrong doings. Of all the TV's that were owned, 2/3 of them were tuned into the case. This case was McCarthy’s downfall.
McCarthy’s aim and methods • McCarthy seemed to be on a quest for personal power. He accused many people were communist, whether they was or not. At one point he waved a piece of paper at a public speaking saying it contained names of government workers that were communist, later it was found to be a grocery list. If he had not done all this at a time of anti-Communist fever and paranoia, he probably would have been laughed out of public life.
Who was his Victims • They were leaders and politicians who he considered to be communistic. Like: David Bohn, Lee Grant, Langston Hughes, Paul sweezy, Linus Pauling, Elmer Bernstein, Howard Da Silva, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Sources • http://sfxmiddle.wikispaces.com/The+Rise+and+Downfall+of+McCarthy • http://www.wikipedia.org