Joseph (Joe) McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy was a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who became infamous in the early 1950s for his aggressive campaign against alleged communists in the government and other sectors, a period known as McCarthyism. He claimed to have lists of communists, leading to widespread fear and accusations without substantive evidence. His tactics included intense interrogations and public hearings, contributing to a culture of suspicion and the violation of civil liberties. Public opinion turned against him after a televised hearing in 1954, leading to his censure by the Senate. McCarthy's actions reflect the tensions of the Cold War era in America.