U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy Launches Communist Witch Hunt

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Recommended: McCarthyism in today's society

McCarthyism destroyed many peoples lives and it was one of the saddest events of American history. Joseph McCarthy was a politician that made everyone become afraid of “communist”. He also accused many citizens that weren’t actual communist. McCarthy was unethical with his accusations and only wanted to be in the spotlight. He was the key figure in the anticommunist madness.
Joseph McCarthy was born into a Roman Catholic family as the fifth of nine children in Appleton, Wisconsin on November 14, 1908. Although McCarthy at the young age of fourteen dropped out of grade school he returned eagerly to finish his studies which permitted him to attend Marquette College. Once he began his studies, McCarthy went about his journey to become what many historians consider to be one of the least proficient, most unprincipled republican politicians of his time(Latham). After receiving his law diploma he started unsuccessful law practices and unfortunately he gave into gambling for extra financing. As re-election got closer McCarthy searched for ways to protect his political success even if that meant to turn to corruption. Edmund Walsh, a close fellow Roman Catholic and anti-communist suggested a crusade against so-called communist subversives(Latham). Enthusiastically he agreed and went with what Edmund Walsh was insisting. McCarthy took advantage of the nations excessive fear against communism.
On February 1950 he appeared at the Ohio County Women’s republican party and proclaimed that he had list of people from the Communist Party who were encouraging their policy. He claimed that there were two hundred and five members in the State Department. This made many people afraid and also got many people into believing his lies. Those who d...

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...rthyism made me realize how much Americans had to endure during 1950’s. I believe that learning about McCarthyism also made me feel more grateful about everything I do have.

Books
Burchett, Michael H. "U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy Launches Communist Witch Hunt." Great Events from History: Modern Scandals. Ed. Carl L. Bankston. 3 vols. Salem Press, 2009. Salem History Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Burchett, Michael H. "Joseph McCarthy." The Fifties in America. Ed. John C. Super. 3 vols. Salem Press, 2005. Salem History Web. 25 Nov. 2013

Flanders, Ralph. "Senate Resolution 301: Censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy: The Full Text." Milestone Documents in American History. Ed. Paul Finkelman. 4 vols. Schlager Group, 2008. Salem History Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
Websites
Oh, Joyce and Latham, Amanda “Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957).” Biography. 21 Apr 2003. Appleton History. 2 Jun 2008 .

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