Transcript Notes (PowerPoint)

Senator Joseph McCarthy
Age of Paranoia
Who Was He?
Republican Senator from Wisconsin
Was vaulted to national fame by exploiting the fear of
Communism in the late ‘40s and ‘50s.
Dominated between 1950-1954
Claimed the “Commies” and “Pinkos” worked in the State
Department and the Army.
Served as Senator from 1947-1957
Died of alcoholism in 1957
How was he Able to Go on
His Crusade?
People actually feared a Communist takeover!!
Communists took over in China
Spies of Atomic secrets caught
Soviets were spreading influence in
Europe
Soviets detonated their A-Bomb in
1949
Alger Hiss case showed subversion in
our government
Techniques
McCarthy was sloppy and lazy, he bullied, badgered
and recklessly accused Americans of disloyalty and
subversion. Even Presidents Eisenhower and Truman
came under attack. Using his position as a Senator
(immunity from slander lawsuits), he relied on the big
lie and masses of confusing statistics.
Character Assassination
Lies and exaggerations
Half-truths
Innuendo
Guilt by association
Smear tactics
Implication
Techniques
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
What Caused His Fall?
His crusade went too far
T.V. exposed “McCarthyism”
Army-McCarthy hearing was shown in the Spring
of 1954
Americans saw his brutal tactics and reckless
accusations
Fellow Senator’s censored McCarthy
What Caused His fall?
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Legacy
McCarthy did NOT find a single Communist in
the State Department
His accusations ruined innocent lives and
increased hysteria.
Legacy Continued
McCarthyism- political attitude characterized
chiefly by opposition to elements held to be
subversive and by the tactics involving personal
attacks on individuals by means of allegations
especially on the basis of unsubstantiated
charges.