McCarthyism (historical context)

McCarthyism refers to the period in the early 1950s when U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign to uncover alleged communist spies within the government and society. Driven by Cold War fears, it involved aggressive investigations, accusations, and an atmosphere of suspicion, often without solid evidence. Many individuals lost jobs or reputations due to these unfounded claims, and the period is seen as a time of political repression and violation of civil liberties. McCarthyism epitomizes a tense era marked by paranoia about communism infiltrating American institutions.