1. McCarthyism
Cold War Witch Hunt

2. The Birth of McCarthyism
Joseph McCarthy, little known Republican senator from Wisconsin
After first term, faces almost certain defeat in upcoming election
Feb 12, 1950: Speech in Wheeling, WV
Has a list of 205 Communists working in the State Department who are shaping U.S. policy
“A conspiracy on a scale so immense as to dwarf any previous such venture in the history of man”

3. McCarthy Hearings
McCarthy was reelected and began work to expose Communists in the U.S. government
Televised hearings
Bullied and berated suspects
“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
Fifth Amendment Communists
Guilt by association
Fear, suspicion and scapegoating surrounding accusations came to be known as “McCarthyism”

4. Historical Context
Republicans accuse Democrats of being “soft on communism”
Favored liberal policies and reforms (socialism)
Soviet a-bomb and “losing” China
Warn country is threatened by “Reds” and “Pinks”
Alger Hiss
Julius and Ethyl Rosenberg

5. Anti-Communist Sentiment
Governments at all levels passed legislation requiring loyalty oaths and made it a crime to be a member of the communist party (in Texas, 20 years in prison)
Schools required loyalty oaths of teachers
Textbooks warned students that communist spies were everywhere - sent by Moscow to spy, sabotage, and promote unrest
“Un-American” books were banned
The Film Industry
Constantly under attack from HUAC
Writers, actors, producers, directors defend themselves - damaged careers
Many blacklisted (banished from work) for refusing to cooperate
Hollywood makes anti-Communist films

6. McCarthy Falls
Despite all the hysteria, McCarthy never proved any of his conspiracy charges
On televised hearings - ranted, raved, appeared drunk
Attacked the U.S. army for sheltering communists
“You are a disgrace to the uniform. You’re shielding communist conspirators.”
“You’re not fit to be an officer. You’re ignorant.”
Senate votes to censure him in 1954
Minimal Communist party membership in U.S.
45,000 in 1946
5,000 by 1950s

7. Have You No Sense of Decency, Sir?
Legal counsel Joseph Welch confronts McCarthy during Army-McCarthy hearings, June 9, 1954