During a period of time directly after World War 2, Senator Joe McCarthy began to make a name for himself. Not for any policies or lawss, but for false accusations and claims made with 0 evidence. This practice was deemed "McCarthyism". McCarthyism is defined as "a campaign or practice that endorses the use of unfair allegations and invesigations" which McCarthy performed through the late 1940s and 50s.
This time period was also called the Second Red Scare from the way McCarthy used his poisiton of power to use American's fear against them. Propaganda was spewed and published during this time constantly. In order to add fire to the flame that was the Cold War, he preyed on America's fear of Communism. During multiple speeches and press releases, McCarthy would claim there were 80 members of the government that were undercover Communists. This caused distrust in local, state, and nationwide governments as he never mentioned any names, only numbers. These numbers would change each time he gave an adress to the general public to keep them scared and listening to his every word.
While McCarthy is remebered for targeting memebrs of different branches of the government, actors in Hollywood were also suspects of being undercover Communists. Going after celebrities caused individuals to be "blacklisted" from working in the tv and film industry ever again. Similarily, in towns, Americans were accusing their neighbors and coworkers of being Communists. Each and every claim had little to no substantial evidence, so it is rumored some claims may have came out of spite or disdain for the individual.
The blind faith people had in him led him to be reelected in 1952 much to the dismay of other mebers of the government. McCarthy led public invesigations and hearings which led peopke to lose their jobs and be shamed depsite him having no evidence whatsoever. His Second Red Scare began to lose favor with the American people when he turned to the military and tried to "expose" Communist soldiers and officers. The critique of the military led people he interviewed, and those that watched, to question his morality along with commentary made by journalist Edward R Murrow.
Altough Senator McCarthy died in 1957 shortly after his downfall, his name lives in infamy through the term "McCarthyism" which is still used today in current politics.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/McCarthyism
https://www.wnyc.org/story/joseph-r-mccarthy-a-speech-against-harry-s-truman/
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