Background+information+about+Joseph+McCarthy-1

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__Background Information About Joseph McCarthy__



Joseph Raymond McCarthy became known during the Cold War with his ruthless hunt of communism in government. The term “McCarthyism” was born indicating unfair tactics to destroy ones character and political standing. This term is still used today.

McCarthy was born on November 14, 1908 in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. He had a strict catholic childhood and was one of nine children. At the age of 14 he finished grade school and started chicken farming. He had a small success in his business and later moved to the town of Manawa, and managed a grocery store. When he was 19, he went to high school where he received his diploma in a year. He later attended Marquette University, majoring in law and graduated as president of his class. He practiced law and ran as a Democratic candidate for district attorney. After losing the election, he concentrated on becoming a judge and changed his political position to Republican. He won the race for the Republican circuit court judgeship. He was 30 years old and ready to take on a more involved role in politics.

During World War II, McCarthy served as a U.S. Marine, and later was elected to the Senate in 1946. He had an obsessive interest in communistic power within the United States government. In a speech at Wheeling, West Virginia, on February 9th, McCarthy said that he had a list of 205 people in the State Department known to be members of the Communist party. Many senators did not believe McCarthy’s claims, and he was continually challenged to show proof of these charges. During this time, he fueled the public with his accusations by using the press and television.

The famous Army-McCarthy hearings were broadcast from April 22-June 17, 1954. During this time, McCarthy tried to bring down the United States Army, accusing them of “Coddling Communists”. The Army then fought back making charges that McCarthy and his staff were on a wild witch hunt with no proof to back up his charges, and McCarthy lost the support of millions of people. The Senate passed a vote of censure on McCarthy and his committee. Three years later he died, on May 2, 1957.

The term “McCarthyism” was created during the Cold War period. There was a lot of secrecy with regard to nuclear arms, and this fed the paranoid political climate. Supposedly, there were Russian spies and corrupt government officials working their way through our proud American government.

McCarthy accused the Eisenhower Administration of treason. As the tension grew in Washington, it eventually backfired on McCarthy as his unfounded accusations could never be proven. This term is still used today to refer to the wild accusations of betrayal to the U.S.

Joseph McCarthy is an important historical person to learn about because he was the central figure in giving the communistic fear during the Cold War. At that time, the government was gathering information on nuclear weapons and the communists were also eager to obtain information. Although, there may have been an element of truth, “McCarthyism” escalated the anxiety for seeking out traders and double crossing spies in our government officials. Joseph McCarthy brought attention to a relevant governmental matter but his over bearing nature was his humiliation.

Sited Sources:

Picture- Joseph McCarthy: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Raymond_McCarthy

Books- · Zeinert, Karen. __McCarthy and the Fear of Communism in American History__. Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1998.

Web Sites- · Bartlett, Charles. "McCarthy, Joseph Raymond." //World Book Online Reference Center//. 2007. [Place of access. Date of access.] http://www.worldbookonline.com.ezproxy.cooklib.org:2048/wb/Article?id=ar350760. · Lerner, Max. "McCarthy, Joseph Raymond (1908-1957)." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//. Ed. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 17 vols.//Student Resource Center - Gold//. Thomson Gale. Cook Memorial Public Library. 13 Feb. 2007 [|http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/infomark.do? &contentSet=GBRC &type=retrieve &tabID=T001 &prodId=SRC-1 &docId=EK1631004399 &source=gale &srcprod=SRCG &userGroupName=ccscm &version=1.0].