The word McCarthyism has become a byname for the denigration of character or reputation by widely publicizing indiscriminate allegations on the basis of unsubstantial charges. McCarthyism began as a term associated with the period in American history when Wisconsin senator, Joseph McCarthy, composed a series of investigations and hearings in an effort to expose supposed communist infiltration of various areas in the U.S. government.
Communism fought for the dismantlement of capitalism, believing in the common ownership of production means and the eradication of money and social class. The capitalist government of the United States became threatened by the communists. Still recovering from the Cold War, the American people had become hyper-suspicious of their government; through insinuations of treachery, many Americans were easily convinced that their government was full of traitors, spies and infiltrators. This fear and distrust weaved the era’s political culture. McCarthy exploited America’s yearning for justice and security by promoting paranoia and fear mongering. As a result of McCarthy’s investigation, over 2,000 government employees lost their jobs without any proof of subversion. He fabricated documents and aggressively interrogated witnesses, many believed that he was obstructing and violating their civil rights.
Many Americans (citizen and congress) had overlooked their apprehension with McCarthy’s tactics until, in April 1954 the senator redirected his focus to the armed services with intentions of exposing supposed communist infiltration. Civilian support began to wane and suddenly the 5 years of impunity that McCarthy had bathed in, was gone. The army began undermining the senators credibility, but it was the decision to broadcast the 36 days of investigative hearings between the army and McCarthy, that collapsed the senators control. Americans watched on national television while McCarthy daunted witnesses and evaded responses when questioned. By many observers, the exposure of the Army-McCarthy hearings was perceived as a shameful moment in American politics.
When the hearings had ended McCarthy had lost most, if not, all of his allies. The hearings had ruined the senators reputation. McCarthy was censured by the senate for his actions. He lost his power but kept his job, and he died at the age of 48 in 1957 (most likely due to alcoholism) and with him died McCarthyism, mostly.
Communism fought for the dismantlement of capitalism, believing in the common ownership of production means and the eradication of money and social class. The capitalist government of the United States became threatened by the communists. Still recovering from the Cold War, the American people had become hyper-suspicious of their government; through insinuations of treachery, many Americans were easily convinced that their government was full of traitors, spies and infiltrators. This fear and distrust weaved the era’s political culture. McCarthy exploited America’s yearning for justice and security by promoting paranoia and fear mongering. As a result of McCarthy’s investigation, over 2,000 government employees lost their jobs without any proof of subversion. He fabricated documents and aggressively interrogated witnesses, many believed that he was obstructing and violating their civil rights.
Many Americans (citizen and congress) had overlooked their apprehension with McCarthy’s tactics until, in April 1954 the senator redirected his focus to the armed services with intentions of exposing supposed communist infiltration. Civilian support began to wane and suddenly the 5 years of impunity that McCarthy had bathed in, was gone. The army began undermining the senators credibility, but it was the decision to broadcast the 36 days of investigative hearings between the army and McCarthy, that collapsed the senators control. Americans watched on national television while McCarthy daunted witnesses and evaded responses when questioned. By many observers, the exposure of the Army-McCarthy hearings was perceived as a shameful moment in American politics.
When the hearings had ended McCarthy had lost most, if not, all of his allies. The hearings had ruined the senators reputation. McCarthy was censured by the senate for his actions. He lost his power but kept his job, and he died at the age of 48 in 1957 (most likely due to alcoholism) and with him died McCarthyism, mostly.