McCarthyism War and depression inevitably lead to hate mongering and a need to lay blame. It was into this atmosphere that Senator Joseph McCarthy appeared on the American political scene. After nearly two decades of economic and social instability, beginning with the Great Depression, continued by the Second World War and topped off by the Korean War, McCarthy's statement that "The government is full of Communists," was precisely what the American public was searching for; …showed first 75 words of 331 total…

…showed last 75 words of 331 total…fellow politicians and other Washington insiders that could jeopardize his power, McCarthy had a very significant power. If he wanted to he could lay a false accusation of communist ties on almost anybody in America. Using this fear McCarthy convinced many fellow politicians and other influential persons to support his ways. All this resulted in not one proven Communist foun! d to be working in the State Department. No Communist conspiracy was discovered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**