McCarthyism : myths, realities of the "red scare" and its perception in Europe

Résumé du document

The first obstacle might be to define what McCarthyism was. Globally, it refers to a specific era in the political history of the United States in which communism was fought. However, McCarthyism overcomes the political aspect and deals with the social life in the United States. Indeed, it had effects on the daily life of millions of Americans who were more or less involved in such a fight, whether it is an offensive (those rejecting communism) or defensive (those who tried to avoid the "purges") one. First of all, the origins of McCarthyism in the United States must be linked with the spread of the communist influence in the world. Besides, McCarthyism can be studied as one more episode in the Cold War fight as it addressed both the political and social components of the American society. However, it must not be reduced to the figure of Joseph R. McCarthy. It would be a misinterpretation if we did so. In fact, it refers to a political and social movement that crystallized even before the emergence of the Senator of Wisconsin.

Extraits

[...] Besides, McCarthyism can be studied as one more episode in the Cold War fight especially because it called up both the political and social components of the American society. However, it must not be reduced to the figure of Joseph R. McCarthy. It would be a misinterpretation if we did so. In fact, it refers to a political and social movement that crystallized even before the emergence of the Senator of Wisconsin. Besides, the repercussions of McCarthyism must not be reduced to the United States. As the leading power, this period influenced its perception in the world. [...]

[...] The other issue deals with the scars left by the “witch hunt” in the American society. Thousands of lives were destroyed because of suspicion. Beyond unemployment, these people often had to experience misery and especially marginalization. The disrepute also affected the political elites of the United States as the case of Alger Hiss proves it. He used to be a top civil servant of the Roosevelt's administration. He was charged with being a former member of the Communist Party during the 1930's. [...]

[...] The main charges of McCarthy dealt with the State Department. He believed that it was infiltrated by Communist. We can understand the echo of such an allegation. What would happen if it was the case? What if the political guideline of the American foreign policy was really taken by communist sympathizers? Such a threat could not have been neglected and had to be taken seriously. - The triumph of Joseph R. McCarthy. McCarthyism triumphant Joseph R. McCarthy will soon become a kind of icon in the United States. [...]

[...] McCarthy delivered his speech in Wheeling nineteen days after his condemnation . From the public opinion point of view, this case embodied the guilt of the political elites of both the 1930's and 1940's who had not been able to contain the spread of communism in the world and in the United States. This frenzy reached a paroxysm between 1950 and 1954. During this period, both the states and the companies did not want to be seen as soft on communism. [...]

[...] His opportunism has enabled the Anti-Communist movement to warn the whole American citizens and to benefit of a media coverage which was necessary to put pressure on both the population and the administration. II) McCarthyism with McCarthy. An organized anti-communist crusade - The alert of Joseph R. McCarthy The scene occurred in Whelling, a small town of Virginia, on February 9th Joseph McCarthy, senator of Wisconsin, had been invited in a meeting celebrating the birth of Abraham Lincoln. During this meeting, he exposed his views about the cold war and expressed his fear about the alleged spread of communism in the federal administration and in the world. [...]