Final answer:
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed to have evidence of communist infiltration in the U.S. State Department during the Second Red Scare, but his attempts to gain political influence through these claims failed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Senator Joseph McCarthy was a prominent figure during the Second Red Scare in the 1950s. He claimed to have evidence of communist infiltration in various government institutions, including the U.S. State Department. However, his attempts to achieve political influence through these claims ultimately failed.
McCarthy's accusations and hearings, known as McCarthyism, created a climate of fear and suspicion in the United States. Many innocent individuals were falsely accused of being communists or having communist sympathies, leading to reputations being destroyed and careers ruined.
In 1954, McCarthy's influence waned after televised hearings exposed his tactics and lack of evidence. He was censured by the Senate later that year, effectively ending his political career.
Learn more about McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare