Why did senator mccarthy become a powerful figure?
Senator Joseph McCarthy was a United States Republican senator from Wisconsin. He gained attention nationally by accusing that there were communists in the Department of State. "McCarthy used hearsay and intimidation to establish himself as a powerful and feared figure in American politics" ("Red Scare" history.com). Senator McCarthy would charge anyone that disagreed with his views with disloyalty, ruining their reputation. Senator McCarthy investigated the communist impact in the United States and tried to expose many accused traitors. Many perceived him as a patriot, as he fought for anti-communism to protect his country, but others viewed him as arrogant because he implicated people with little evidence. He influenced politics immensely. McCarthy's accusations were threatening, which made it difficult for anyone to speak out against him. To add to the "fear", Senator McCarthy convinced many people to believe that the government was full of spies and betrayers. As influential and persuasive as McCarthy was, he was condemned for his "inexcusable" behavior. He still had his job, but all the power he had vanished.
political CLimate of the 1950s
Fear was a common factor of the 1950s. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union elevated the fear of communists in America. This became known as the Red Scare because the Communists were connected with "red" due to their pledge to the red Soviet flag. Due to the climate of fear, US government and daily life was greatly effected. Government employees were examined to test their loyalty to America. Also, spies working for the Soviet Union were a threat to the security of the United States. It was not just the government accusing people, it was society. American citizens also alleged others of being communists or being involved in Communism. This ruined many of the accused people's lives and reputations, whether inside or outside of the government. Some were isolated from their friends and jobs and many were falsely accused for having different political views. Senator McCarthy was one of the most controversial political figures. He promoted Anti-communist ideas and McCarthyism was born from him. He accused people, usually with little evidence, of being communists or associated with communists.
Communism According to Dictionary.com Communism is, "a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state."
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McCARTHYISMAccording to the Free Dictionary this term means "the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro-Communist activity, often unsupported or based on doubtful evidence."
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Anti-CommunismThis is the opposition to Communism.
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