McCarthyism: The Modern American Witchhunt :: Essays Papers

McCarthyism The Modern American Witchhunt Have you no sense of decency sir, at keen-sighted last? Have you left no sense of decency? -Joseph Welch, lawyer for the deposit of the ArmyIntroductionBy the time Republican Senator Joseph R. McCarthy gave his first delivery in which he accused 205 members of President Harry Trumans democratic g everywherening body of organism communist on Feb. 9, 1950 there was already a deliberate anti-Communist attitude in the United States. Which is why his tongue, given in west Virginia, far from Washington DC, and from his home state of Wisconsin, made such an impact. almost of what he said has been forgotten, the speech was never recorded, but what he started with that speech would win him and his actions a place in American history. McCarthyism a cry synonymous with lying, government cover-ups and abuse, and the private war of one man against what he saw as a threat to the American way of life. interminable lives would be r uined by his crusade. , those of government officials and private citizens alike. When it was all over McCarthys vehemence would bring his own downfall. MaCarthy and his followers caused panic and fear of fabianism in those who were ordinary citizens. For those who were targeted and accused, however, McCarthy and his followers did much more. How it was done Governmental structures, topical anesthetic and federal, constitute up various un- American activites committees. These committees were set up whole to find and prosecute communists, or suspect communists. They drew the attention of the American public in every city that they were, furthering the panic of the red scare. They set up inquisitions to scoop up care of their targets. Loyalty review boards were set up by President Truman in 1947, and were used quite frequently in the 1950s. Nearly all public employees were forced done these boards, although most went through swiftly without trouble. These boards were not ab le to imprison people, but they were able to take their jobs from them. Private industries were often more harsh on their employees suspected of being communist. To avoid public embarrassment that could be detrimental in the ultra- superpatriotic 1950s they would often hire people who were ultra-patriotic to weed out the communist, or suspected communists in their corporations.