Joseph M. McCarthy

Joseph M. McCarthy was a U.S. senator from Wisconsin active in the early 1950s. He became famous for leading a political campaign that accused many Americans, especially government employees, of being communist spies without solid evidence. His aggressive tactics, including public hearings and accusations, created a climate of fear and suspicion known as "McCarthyism." While initially popular among some for fighting communism, his methods were widely criticized for violating civil liberties and leading to wrongful accusations. His influence waned by the mid-1950s, and he remains a symbol of reckless political persecution.