Final answer:
McCarthyism refers to the anti-Communist hysteria in the postwar United States characterized by baseless accusations from Senator Joseph McCarthy. It was marked by fear and the persecution of individuals without evidence, leading to blacklisting and government suppression of suspected Communists. The term also encompasses practices that suppress dissent through unfair allegations.
Step-by-step explanation:
McCarthyism is a term that describes the anti-Communist hysteria that swept through the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. This period was marked by a widespread fear of Communist infiltration and the implementation of aggressive and often unsubstantiated measures against suspected Communists.
The term specifically derives from the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who became infamous for his unfounded accusations of disloyalty and Communist sympathies against numerous individuals and government agencies. Without providing any tangible evidence, McCarthy leveraged the nation's fear of Communism to instigate a 'witch hunt' against supposed Communist infiltrators, which led to many careers and lives being unjustly destroyed.
During a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, in February 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of Communists employed by the State Department. Despite repeated requests, he never provided a verifiable list, instead constantly changing the number of alleged Communists. His tactics included making bold but vague accusations, which created a climate of fear and suspicion. The term McCarthyism is now used more broadly to describe the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.
The impact of McCarthyism was far-reaching, leading to the blacklisting of individuals in various industries, most notably in Hollywood, and contributing to a general atmosphere of paranoia. Activities by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's COINTELPRO also fell within the scope of McCarthyism, highlighting the extent of government surveillance and suppression of supposed Communist activities during this era.