The McCarthy Era
In the early 1950's, ambitious Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy launched a
'witch hunt' of suspected communists in prominent positions in the USA. He
produced little evidence in his accusations, and in the process ruined many
lives.
 | In 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of 205 members of the Communist Party working in the State Department (the department responsible for the foreign affairs of the USA). He was lying, but nobody dared challenge him for fear of being labelled a communist. |
| Not even President Truman dared challenge McCarthy for fear that he would be labelled a communist - no one was safe from his ruinous accusations. |
Cartoon
displaying McCarthy's 'evidence' going up in smoke
| McCarthy forced a total of 2375 innocent people to appear before the House of Un-American Activities - including Walt Disney. |
McCarthy never produced any evidence, but caused many public figures
reputations to be ruined. 400 ended up in jail.
Why did McCarthyism end?
By 1954, the tide of public opinion had turned against McCarthy
Once his interrogations were broadcast on television the American public saw
his rude and aggressive manner and demanded to see the evidence that he failed
to show.
In a last ditch bid for credibility, McCarthy claimed that the US army was infiltrated
with communists. This was too much for the public to stomach - the US army was
a source of pride and honour for the country.
Also, relations with the Soviet Union began to improve since the death of
Stalin in 1953.
What was the impact of McCarthyism?
9500 civil servants were sacked, 15,000 resigned, 600 teachers were forced out
of their jobs, many actors, writers and performers saw their careers ruined -
Charlie Chaplin among them. Many even committed suicide.
The 1954 'Communist Control Act' banned the Communist party in the USA.
The McCarthy affair showed how fearful the USA was of communism and the 'Red
Scare'
As late as 1960, some US states still demanded an oath of loyalty from their
employees.
McCarthy appeared rude and aggressive on TV
Chaplin was accused of being a communist by McCarthy
