Question

Why can the Cold War be seen as the main reason for McCarthyism?

1) The threat of the 'Hun' was replaced by the fear of Communism and Communist expansion
2) The Cold War created an atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia
3) McCarthyism was a direct response to the Soviet Union's actions during the Cold War
4) The fear of Communist influence led to the targeting of suspected Communist sympathizers

Answer 1

The Cold War directly influenced the rise of McCarthyism through the spread of anti-Communist sentiment, fostering suspicion and paranoia, and reacting to Soviet actions, ultimately stifling political dissent and progressive legislation in the United States.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Cold War can be seen as the main reason for McCarthyism for several interlinked reasons that fed into the era's climate of fear and repression. First, the post-WWII rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union replaced the fear of other enemies with the fear of Communism and its global spread. Second, the political climate created by the Cold War heightened suspicion and paranoia, making McCarthy's allegations more credible to an anxious public. Third, McCarthyism was a reactionary movement to the Soviet Union's perceived aggression and influence during this period, which led to the unfounded targeting of alleged Communist sympathizers within the United States. This resulted in a widespread atmosphere where dissent equaled disloyalty, and the impact of McCarthy's actions was a long-lasting suspicion towards left-leaning policies, further inhibiting progressive legislation such as state-sponsored health insurance.