Joseph McCarthy was a U.S. senator from Wisconsin known for leading a period of extreme anti-communism in the 1950s known as McCarthyism. He made reckless accusations that communist spies had infiltrated high levels of the U.S. government and other institutions. McCarthyism refers to his aggressive accusations and investigations of communist subversion with little or no proof. Eventually his accusations against the U.S. Army were investigated in widely televised hearings in 1954, where he was unable to substantiate his claims, leading to his censure by the Senate that same year. McCarthy died in 1957 still in office from health complications caused by alcoholism.

1. Joseph McCarthy
“The Man behind the Man”

2. Witch Hunt
• “Witch hunt”- refers to any search for a
scapegoat who can be blamed for all the
ills of society and whose removal will
eliminate the problems.

3. McCarthyism
• McCarthyism- policy or practice of
publicly accusing in a reckless manner,
suspected individuals or groups of political
disloyalty and subversion.

4. Are you a Subversive?
• Subversives- Those who engage in a
systematic attempt to overthrow or
undermine a government or political
system by working secretly from within.
(For almost two years the struggle went on
between president and senator over the
proper way a democracy should handle
so-called subversives.)

5. Are you a Demagogue?
• Demagogue- A
leader who makes
use of popular
prejudices and false
claims and promises
in order to gain
power.
(McCarthy was a
demagogue.)

6. Enough is Enough…
• Censure- To find
fault with and
criticize as
blameworthy.
(In late 1954, the
Senate censured
McCarthy.)

7. Communism!!!
• Communism is the abolition of power of
people over people, where the
government holds all assets. Communism
is based on mutual cooperation, peace
and justice.

8. Who was Joseph McCarthy???
• Born Nov. 14, 1908
on a farm in
Wisconsin.
• Attended Marquette
University
• Graduated, and
became a lawyer/
wasn’t successful (go
figure!), boosted his
income by playing
poker.

9. “Dirty Politics????”
• Originally a supporter of FDR and the New Deal.
• Failed to become Democratic candidate for
District Attorney
• Switched parties and became the Republican
Party candidate in an election to become circuit
court judge.
• 1941, resigned as a circuit judge - joined the
Marines.

10. McCarthy the Judge
• Judge McCarthy treated
first offenders with
leniency and expedited
divorce cases.
• “Joe was full of
vitality, piss,
and vinegar.
He opened the
courtroom
windows and
let a little fresh
air in.”
• The Wisconsin Supreme
Court criticized Judge
McCarthy for destroying a
court record in 1941.
-Francis Werner, (advisor to
McCarthy’s circuit court
judge campaign, 1939)

11. McCarthy the Marine
• McCarthy joined the
Marines during World
War II.
• Promoted to the rank of
Captain.
• McCarthy briefed pilots
before flights and
questioned them on
their return about
enemy activity.
• McCarthy resigned from
the Marines on
December 11, 1944.
(wounded)

12. On the campaign trail…
• After the war, McCarthy ran against Robert La
Follette to become Republican candidate for the
Senate in Wisconsin.
• Campaign Image: Full fighting gear with
aviator’s cap, belts of machine-gun ammunition
wrapped around bulky torso. Claimed
involvement in 32 missions…..in reality- desk job
with training exercises. Attacked La Follette for
not enlisting.

13. A win for McCarthy!!!
• Judge McCarthy
stands beside one of
his campaign posters
after he defeated
Senator Robert M. La
Follette, Jr. for the
Republican Senate
nomination in 1946.

14. •
McCarthy as
Senator
McCarthy's first years in
the Senate were
unimpressive.
• People claimed that he
had lied about his war
record.
• He was being
investigated for tax
offences and for taking
bribes.
• Began a campaign
against communist
subversives working in
the Democratic
administration.

15. McCarthyism…
• Feb. 1950, “compiled” a list of 57 people in state
department that were members of American
Communist party.
• Some had been communists but others had
been fascists, alcoholics and sexual deviants.
As it happens, if McCarthy had been
screened, his own drinking problems and
sexual escapades would have resulted in him
being put on the list.

16. McCarthy vs.
Eisenhower

17. McCarthy’s Downfall…
• In 1954, he made accusations against the
US Army
• Resulted in a nationally televised Senate
investigation
• Censured by Senate in 1954.

18. Political Cartoon
• What does
this
cartoon
say about
Joseph
McCarthy?

19. The End…
• Heavy drinker died of cirrhosis (chronic
liver disease – scaring of the liver), May 2,
1957 - while still in office.
• Newspaper… “Drunk himself to death.”

20. His Legacy…
• In defense of
McCarthy…
He was Right!!!
• However, he could
never actually prove
that subversives were
infiltrating the
government!!!