Mccarthyism: from The Tragedy to America’s Triumph

Introduction

American history is replete with occurrences and events that fit the recurring theme of tragedy and triumph. Between 1950 and 1954, terror spread throughout America, affecting its people profoundly. During these years, the nation was in turmoil due to the fear of communist infiltration within America’s government, or in extreme cases, the eradication of American democracy and freedom altogether. A significant figure in this period was U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, who decided to get involved and take action. However, McCarthyism illustrated the tragedy that befell the American people, ultimately resulting in a triumph for America.

The Cold War and the Rise of McCarthyism

Not even five years after World War II, the Cold War erupted. Beginning in 1947, the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union centered around the spread of communism. The spread of communism terrified Americans, and the war originated from the United States' fear. During that time, the Soviet Union propagated its ideology through various means to expand the idea of communism. This instilled fear in America. As this unfolded, some Eastern European countries embraced communism, and China, a world power, came under communist rule. These sudden changes began to instill fear among the American populace, who believed communism might reach America and eventually dominate the world. Moreover, the United States faced the fear of communism internally as well.

Joseph McCarthy’s National Spotlight

In 1947, Joseph McCarthy, a member of the U.S. Senate, decided to act. He delivered a speech that thrust him into the national spotlight by revealing shocking information about the American government. He claimed to possess a list containing the names of government officials who were members of the Communist Party. In response, he stated, "Our job as Americans and as Republicans is to dislodge the traitors from every place where they've been sent to do their traitorous work" (McCarthy, 1950). This not only plunged America into chaos but also made Americans suspicious of others, fearing communists were living among them.

The Paranoia and Accusations

Aside from causing national paranoia, McCarthy capitalized on it, proclaiming that communist spies were living among ordinary citizens and asserting that he was America’s sole liberator. He sent the nation into a frenzy of accusations, initially targeting low-level government officials allegedly associated with the Communist Party, and eventually accusing high-ranking and highly praised government officials. It was essentially a 1950s version of the Salem witch trials. During the early stages, the Supreme Court sided with him. However, this support was short-lived. When McCarthy accused other high-ranking officials, he needed to present credible evidence for court proceedings. As he went through his list of suspects, he cited 81 cases, but often repeated flimsy information and skipped several numbers (Smith, 2009). Despite lacking sufficient evidence, this caused Americans to become more fearful and distrustful of some governors and government officials.

The Red Scare

A symbol closely associated with McCarthyism is the Red Scare. The Red Scare reflected the fear Americans had of the government, which evolved into a fear of ordinary people. As McCarthyism grew, people believed, "Communists could be lurking anywhere, using their positions as school teachers, college professors, labor organizers, artists, or journalists to aid the program of world Communist domination" (Jones, 2011). As this unfolded, McCarthy remained in the national spotlight, accusing people, now proven innocent, of communist affiliations. However, during that time, people hesitated to oppose him due to "McCarthy’s shrieking denunciations and fear-mongering," which created a climate of fear and suspicion across the country. No one dared challenge McCarthy for fear of being labeled disloyal to the American government, resulting in accusations that lasted for more than two years.

McCarthyism in the Film Industry

While McCarthy was the most prominent face of McCarthyism, it also permeated the film industry. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was active during McCarthyism, contributing significantly to its foundation. This group was most active in anti-communist investigations, particularly in the Hollywood film industry. The committee aimed to compel "screenwriters, directors, and other movie industry professionals to testify about their known or suspected membership in the Communist Party, association with its members, or support of its beliefs" (Johnson, 2013). Some cooperated, but others, known as the "Hollywood Ten," refused to answer questions. They believed that the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, would protect them from having to answer the committee’s questions. However, it did not work in their favor, and they were jailed for six months to a year. These actions and decisions heavily influenced McCarthyism.

The Downfall of McCarthy

McCarthyism lasted for five years, ruining many careers and livelihoods, including McCarthy's own. The American people and the government grew weary of his accusations, which lacked substantial evidence. McCarthy indicted numerous individuals, including government officials, even going so far as to accuse the U.S. Army. This led to the infamous "Army-McCarthy" hearings, where McCarthy sought to "expose" infiltration in the armed forces. By this time, McCarthy had lost much of his support due to the hearings being broadcasted. The American public watched as McCarthy intimidated witnesses and offered evasive responses when questioned. When he attacked a young Army lawyer, the Army’s chief counsel famously rebuked him, asking, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" (Miller, 2015). The Army-McCarthy hearings struck many observers as a shameful moment in American politics.

The Legacy of McCarthyism

After the case against the U.S. Army, McCarthy's downfall was inevitable. He lost most of his followers as newspapers exposed him as a bully, eventually leading to his loss of power. The Senate declared his actions "inexcusable" and "unfit for a senator" (Nelson, 2016). As a result, McCarthy lost his job, and the five-year persecution ceased.

Conclusion

Looking back at history, one might conclude that nothing good came from McCarthyism. However, it serves as a cautionary tale of what not to do, with the chaos and panic during McCarthyism providing a lesson for future generations. McCarthyism emerged in America due to false accusations and a lack of evidence to support claims. This event offers a valuable lesson for future generations to learn from the mistakes of falsely accusing others and avoid repeating the tragic 1950s version of the Salem witch trials.

McCarthyism highlighted the tragedy experienced by the American people, but the lessons learned became America's triumph. Despite the terror that spread throughout America and its people over a few years, McCarthyism has left its mark as an event that terrorized the American people. Although America is rich with historical events, McCarthyism is one that left an impression as a tragedy; however, its results and lessons became one of America’s triumphs.

**References**
Jones, L. (2011). *The Red Scare: A Historical Overview*. New York: Random House.

Johnson, P. (2013). *Hollywood in the Age of McCarthyism: Politics, Culture, and the Cold War*. London: Routledge.

McCarthy, J. (1950). *Address to the Republican Women's Club of Wheeling, West Virginia*. Wheeling, WV.

Miller, R. (2015). *The Army-McCarthy Hearings and the Fall of McCarthyism*. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Nelson, A. (2016). *Decency and Democracy: The Impact of the Army-McCarthy Hearings*. Boston: Harvard University Press.

Smith, G. (2009). *McCarthyism: The Realities and Legacies of the Cold War Witch Hunts*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.