Joseph McCarthy was an American politician who gained prominence during the early 1950s through his involvement in the anti-communist movement. He led a campaign known as McCarthyism, which involved making unfounded accusations of communist activities and espionage within the U.S. government.
Related terms
Red Scare: This term refers to a period of strong anti-communist sentiment in the United States during the Cold War, characterized by fears of communist infiltration and subversion.
HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee): The HUAC was a congressional committee that investigated alleged disloyalty and subversive activities by individuals suspected of having communist ties or sympathies.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: The Rosenbergs were an American couple who were executed in 1953 for allegedly providing atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union. Their case became highly controversial and fueled fears of communist infiltration in America.