McCarthyism

This section explores the work of Senator Joseph McCarty and the Second Red Scare during the 1950’s. In the 1920s, America experienced a wave of fear known as the Red Scare, a time when the threat of communism was believed to be undermining American society. After the Second World War, this fear resurfaced with greater intensity. Communism, as a political ideology, was seen as the opposite of America's values of capitalism and democracy. Communist regimes, particularly in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, were run by dictators who controlled the economy and imposed a classless society in which individual freedoms were suppressed. As communism spread across the globe, many Americans feared that it could take root in the United States and threaten their way of life.

The Second Red Scare

The ideological rivalry between the Soviet Union (a communist state) and the United States (a capitalist democracy) eventually evolved into the Cold War, a period of intense geopolitical tension. In 1947, the Truman Doctrine was introduced as part of a broader American foreign policy aimed at containing the spread of communism worldwide. The United States committed itself to supporting countries resisting communist influence, whether through economic aid or military intervention.

International events heightened these fears. In October 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong led China to become a communist nation with the founding of the People’s Republic of China. That same year, the Soviet Union successfully tested its first nuclear bomb, shattering America and it’s allies monopoly on nuclear weapons. These developments, combined with an increasing fear of espionage, contributed to a growing sense of paranoia in the United States that communists were infiltrating American society – and even government institutions.

In response, President Harry S. Truman introduced a loyalty programme in 1947, which subjected federal employees to security checks. Under this programme, any connection to groups deemed "un-American" could result in dismissal. While no spies were uncovered, hundreds of government workers lost their jobs, labelled as security risks. Critics argued that these measures violated civil liberties, while supporters contended that they were necessary for national security.

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Originally set up in 1938 to investigate Nazi propaganda, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was revitalised after the war to identify suspected communists and communist sympathisers in the United States. HUAC gained notoriety for its aggressive tactics, using public hearings to interrogate individuals about their political beliefs. Those who were accused of communist sympathies often faced immense pressure to name others, and many were bullied or intimidated into compliance.

In one high-profile case, Alger Hiss, a former US State Department official, was accused by Whittaker Chambers, a former communist, of being a Soviet spy. Hiss was convicted in 1950 and sentenced to prison, though many believed his conviction was politically motivated. In another notorious case, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were accused of spying for the Soviet Union by passing atomic secrets to communist agents. They were convicted and executed in 1953, despite significant controversy surrounding their trial and the evidence against them.

The Rise of McCarthy

As the fear of communism spread, Joseph McCarthy, a Republican senator from Wisconsin, rose to prominence. In February 1950, McCarthy gave a speech in which he claimed to have a list of over 200 “known communists” working within the US State Department. Although he never produced concrete evidence, McCarthy’s allegations garnered widespread attention and support. His sensational claims and aggressive tactics made him a household name.

McCarthy’s approach to uncovering communist sympathisers was ruthless and often unsubstantiated. He publicly accused politicians, government workers, and intellectuals of being communists, relying on mere suspicion and flimsy evidence. His attacks extended beyond government officials to include Hollywood stars, writers, and other influential figures in American society. Those who spoke out against him or were accused of communist ties risked being blacklisted, which could end their careers and reputations.

Although McCarthy’s methods were increasingly seen as undemocratic and unjust, his tactics brought him both power and popularity. His ability to manipulate public fear made him a central figure in the anti-communist movement. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who took office in 1953, was cautious about confronting McCarthy directly, as opposing him could result in accusations of communist sympathy.

This period of heightened suspicion and accusation became known as McCarthyism, a term that also came to refer to any unfounded or exaggerated accusations of communist connections.

The Fall of McCarthy

McCarthy's downfall began when, in 1954, he turned his attention to the US Army, accusing it of harbouring communist sympathisers. In a series of televised congressional hearings, McCarthy tried to accuse Army officials of being "soft" on communism. However, the televised nature of the hearings allowed the American public to witness McCarthy's behaviour firsthand.

During the hearings, McCarthy’s bullying and his baseless accusations were exposed to millions of viewers. His increasingly erratic behaviour, including personal attacks on his opponents, alienated many of his former supporters. The hearings were a turning point, and public opinion began to turn against him. In December 1954, the US Senate voted to censure McCarthy for his conduct, effectively stripping him of his power and influence.

By the time of his death in 1957, McCarthy’s influence had greatly diminished. McCarthyism, however, left a lasting impact on American society, characterised by an atmosphere of fear, suspicion, and political repression that affected many individuals and organisations during the 1950s.