McCARTHYISM Flashcards
what was the point of McCarthy’s mission?
he wanted to identify and prosecute suspected communist .
those arrested had to prove loyalty to USA and support for America values (capitalism, democracy, and freedom of individual)
what did McCarthy do to persecute?
The left leaning was sacked for positions since they were secure risks with very little evidence. McCarthy also started to target those he merely suspected with lies rumours and half truth.
Who did McCarthy have support of? And what did it end up?
he had the support of J Edgar Hoover the head of FBI who intercepted a lot of suspect ,the FBI ended up having over 1 million files
how did McCarthy create public anxiety and fear?
fear was already high since Vietnam and China. McCarthy’s instance was that communists were at work or universities and began to stir up arrests. this started up public anxiety even more.
how did public anxiety create prejudice?
McCarthy began to suspect those who didn’t display American values and wrongly called them communist synthesisers. those who openly criticised Americans political views and capital system were vulnerable to abuse.