Senator Joseph McCarthy and Communism

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Beginning in the early 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy released a monumental rampage across the United States. For fear of governmental infiltration by Communists, an outbreak of accusations swept the nation as a result of the Wisconsin senator, and helped create what is known as the second Red Scare (“McCarthyism”) Joseph McCarthy was born November 14, 1908 in Grand Chute, Wisconsin to dairy farmers, lived an average life until the age of sixteen. At this point in time, McCarthy dropped out of school until 1929, when he decided to go back and finish high school. After completing the general education requirements, McCarthy applied to practice law at Marquette University. After receiving a law degree, he practiced law in the Wisconsin area from 1935-1939. When 1940 came around, McCarthy managed to land a spot in the circuit-court as a judge (“Joseph R. McCarthy”). Taking a break from his circuit-court judge position, Joseph McCarthy left to join the Marines during World War II. Through this branch of military, McCarthy achieved the rank of Captain before making his way back to the United States to further pursue a political career. Once returning home, McCarthy beat Robert M. Follette Jr. for the Republican senatorial nomination. After winning for the nomination, McCarthy went on to win the actual position for Senator against the Democratic candidate Howard McMurray in 1946 (“Joseph Raymond McCarthy”). Going an uneventful four years, the major attention came on February 9, 1950 when the Senator gave the Lincoln Day address in Wheeling, Virginia. Through this speech, McCarthy claimed to have the names of over 200 State Department employees who were members of the Communist party. To follow the accusations, the Senator was further... ... middle of paper ... ....d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. Ferrell, Robert H., and Peter Szatmar. "The Villains Of The 'Red Scares' Of 1950." Phi Kappa Phi Forum 90.3 (2010): 10-11. Business Source Complete. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. Gray, Tom, and Washington, DC. National Archives and Records Administration. Telegram From Senator Joseph Mccarthy To President Harry S. Truman. The Constitution Community: Postwar United States (1945 To Early 1970S). n.p.: 2000. ERIC. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. Miller, Arthur. "WHY I WROTE "THE CRUCIBLE"" The New Yorker. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. . Schwarz, Frederic D. "The Demagogue’s Downfall." American Heritage Nov.-Dec. 2004: volume 55, issue 6. Web. Straight, Michael. "The Fanaticism Of Joseph Mccarthy." New Republic 130.26 (1954): 6-8. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

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