McCarthyism

What did McCarthy do?

Said State Department contained over 200 Communists - found later by Senate to be a hoax
Accused Senator Tydings of being a Communist - T was later defeated in election for Congress by McCarthy supporter
Throughout 1952-1953 he used his position to continue the Anti-Communist crusade
Targeted high profile politicians like George Marshall- accused of being in the centre of a major Comm. conspiracy against USA.
Ruined lives of millions of innocent people.
Between 1953-1954 nearly 7,000 gvt. workers lost their jobs (though none on trial)
In 1954- Communist Control Act was introduced -outlawed Communist Party of USA and made membership illegal.

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Many politicians, Hollywood Stars + newpapers began to criticise McCarthy
Several prominent court cases put an end to McC's blacklisting
1956 Supreme Court supported case of Professor Slochower who was sacked from Brooklyn College because he refused to deny past membersip of Comm. Party
Year later Sup. Court rules on the case of Watkins vs the United States
- Stopped Congress from punishing unco-operative witnesses who in previous years would have been blacklisted as being suspected Comm.
1954- McCarthy accused 45 army officers of being Comm. agents
When shown on TV hearing, public was shocked at McC's aggressive manner
In contrast- Joseph Welch (army's chief counsel) was calm + reasonable + showed weaknesses of McC's case
New Senate Committee was established + condemned McC's behaviour
His influence and power fell dramatically and died 3 yrs later.

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His tactics showed how easy it was to create feat + hysteria abot threat of Comm.
Showed extent of anti-Comm. feeling in USA
Made it difficult for public to criticse gvt. without being accused of being Comm.
Many citizens financially ruined + reputations destroyed.
Suggested many Americans were unhappy with the situation + changed in society.
- Made it more difficult to gain greater equality for women + improve rights for Afri. Ameri.
Despite Consitituion, Americans were not allowed complete freedom for political beliefs for fear of lives being ruined.

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