A discussion of the key features, opposition and consequences of McCarthyism

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A discussion of the key features, opposition and consequences of McCarthyism

McCarthyism key features

McCarthyism was rudimentally instigated on the 9th February 1950, when Senator Joseph McCarthy articulated a speech to the Republican Women's Club of Wheeling, West Virginia, which averred he possessed a list of 205 names who were known communists, yet worked for the State department. This speech was extolled by many as they they categorically wished to culminate the recent communist threats, such as the subjugation of the Kuomintang by the Chinese Communist Party and the Korean War. McCarthy subsequently obtained distinguished espousal from the press, which depicted him as a crusader amid his influence.

His sway also incited the passing of major pieces of legislation; in 1950 the McCarran internal security act was passed, which required Communist organisations to register with the Attorney General. Moreover, the immigration and nationality Act of 1952 restricted immigration into the U.S. McCarthy coerced 2375 innocent individuals to appear before the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and notwithstanding his failure to produce any evidence against, 400 were incarcerated. There was evident fear among the nation; being blacklisted served as the ignominy of many; they would be evicted from their homes and were ostracised or abused by their community; even President Truman did not reprimand some implausible allegations, in case of antagonism by the nation

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A litigation, known as the Army-McCarthy Hearings, was promulgated live on television, where he was seen as having a truculent and intimidating temperament, as well as purportedly leaving his evidence in his briefcase and his nature was confirmed by an episode of “See it now”, where he articulated the denunciation of the administrations of all democratic leaders, including Truman and also severely berated an Army General, which accentuated his offensive comportment

McCarthyism opposition

One reason for the ignominy of his reputation was due to his intimidating and abusive temperament towards any element of antagonism to his ideology. ...

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