Final answer:
Senator Joseph McCarthy was censured by the U.S. Senate due to his McCarthyism tactics of unfounded accusations, particularly against the U.S. Army, which were publicly scrutinized during the televised Army-McCarthy Hearings leading to his loss of support and political influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Events Leading to McCarthy's Senate Censure
The events leading to Senator Joseph McCarthy being censured by the U.S Senate are related to his unchecked McCarthyism and the public's disenchantment with his tactics. Initially, McCarthy garnered attention and fear by claiming he had lists of Communists within the government, although he failed to provide concrete evidence. His accusations were broad and unfounded, leveraging the public's fear of communism for political gain.
His downfall came when he turned his focus to the U.S. Army, making allegations of disloyalty. The nationally televised Army-McCarthy Hearings in 1954 allowed the public to witness McCarthy's style of bullying and intimidation, without presenting credible evidence. The spectacle resulted in lost public support and even his fellow Republicans began distancing themselves.
Journalist Edward Murrow's exposé, along with the sharp criticism from Army's chief counsel Joseph Welch during the hearings, significantly tarnished McCarthy's reputation. Finally, in December 1954, the Senate voted to censure McCarthy for "conduct unbecoming a Senator," effectively ending his political influence. The correct answer to the student's question is (a) Senator McCarthy's relentless pursuit of communists without evidence and his attacks on the U.S. Army led to his censure.