Senator Joseph McCarthy

Senator Joseph McCarthy was a U.S. politician in the early 1950s known for leading a period of intense anti-Communism. He claimed that numerous supposed Communist agents had infiltrated the government and other institutions, often without solid evidence. His aggressive tactics, including public hearings and accusations, fueled fear and suspicion across America. McCarthy's approach, called "McCarthyism," led to widespread paranoia, damaged reputations, and violated civil liberties. His influence waned by the mid-1950s after he was formally censured by the Senate, but his legacy remains associated with political hysteria and the dangers of unchecked accusations.