Final answer:
The McCarthy era was a time when Joseph McCarthy accused individuals and government agencies of disloyalty to the United States. Hollywood was targeted during this era, resulting in some individuals being placed on the Hollywood blacklist.
Step-by-step explanation:
The McCarthy era, also known as the period of McCarthyism, refers to the time when Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy accused numerous individuals and government agencies of disloyalty to the United States without providing evidence to support his claims.
During this era, McCarthy and the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) launched an investigation into alleged Communist influence in Hollywood.
As a result, many actors, writers, and directors were required to testify. Some, known as the 'Hollywood Ten,' refused to cooperate and were sent to prison,
while others were blacklisted by movie studio bosses based on expressions of sympathy for Communists or previous political associations.