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A Conspiracy So Immense In 1949 the Red Scare intensified when the USSR successfully detonated an atomic bomb and China fell to Communism. Many Americans believed the US was losing the Cold War and wanted an explanation as to why their government was failing. Many continued to believe that Communists had infiltrated the government and remained undetected. In February 1950 Wisconsin Senator Joseph R McCarthy, in a speech to a women’s group, announced he had a list of 205 employees of the state department who were members of the Communist party. The next day reporters crowded around him asking to see the list. McCarthy never revealed the list, but continued to make charges and draw attention.
McCarthy’s Charges Joseph McCarthy studied law and served in WWII before running for Senate. In 1946 McCarthy, without specific charges or proof, accused his opponent Robert M La FolletteJr of being “communistically inclined.” Fear of communism plus McCarthy’s intense speeches, won him the election. McCarthy continued to proclaim communists were a danger at home and abroad. He even distributed a booklet called The Party of Betrayal accusing Democratic party leaders of corruption and protecting communists. Secretary of State Dean Acheson was a frequent target, accused of incompetence and being a tool of Stalin. McCarthy wildly accused George C Marshall, former army chief of staff and secretary of state, of disloyalty and conspiracy. McCarthy was not alone in making charges and in the prevailing mood of anxiety many were ready to believe.
The McCarran Internal Security Act In 1950 Congress passed the McCarran Internal Security Act making it illegal to conspire with another person to perform an act which would contribute to the establishment of a totalitarian regime. The law required all Communists Party and “communist-front” organizations to register with the US attorney general and publish their records. The act also created other restrictions on communists such as not getting a passport to travel abroad. The act also allowed the arrest and detention of communists in cases of national emergency. President Truman tried to veto the bill, but Congress easily passed it. Later Supreme Court cases ensure the McCarran Act would never be effective.
McCarthy’s Tactics The 1952 elections gave the Republicans control of Congress and McCarthy became chairman of the Senate subcommittee on investigations. McCarthy used his position to force government officials to testify about alleged communist influences. McCarthy turned the investigation into a witch hunt based on flimsy evidence and irrational fears. His tactic of damaging reputations with vague and unfounded charges became known as McCarthyism. McCarthy’s theatrics and sensational accusations drew the attention of the press. When McCarthy questioned witnesses he would badger them and refuse to accept their answers; his tactics left a cloud of suspicion. People were afraid to challenge him and become targets themselves.
McCarthy’s Downfall In 1954 McCarthy began to look for Soviet spies in the US army. The army conducted its own investigation and found nothing. Furious at the denial, McCarthy took his investigation onto television where he questioned and challenged officers, harassing them about details and accusing them of misconduct. During weeks of televised Army-McCarthy hearings millions of Americans watched McCarthy bully witnesses and his popular support faded away. Finally, McCarthy attacked the army lawyer Joseph Welch, by bringing up the past of young member of Welch’s firm. Welch exploded at McCarthy for possibly ruining the man’s career, accusing McCarthy of cruelty, recklessness and lacking decency. Spectators cheered. McCarthy had lost power to arouse fear. Later the Senate passed a vote of censure, formal disapproval, against McCarthy. His influence gone, McCarthy faded from public view and he died in 1957 a broken and bitter man.
