Final answer:
During the McCarthy era, individuals were often asked, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?" This era became known as McCarthyism, characterized by unsubstantiated allegations of disloyalty without evidence. The Army-McCarthy Hearings in 1954 were significant in discrediting McCarthy's tactics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most infamous question asked by investigators during the McCarthy congressional inquiry, particularly by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), was some variant of "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?" This phrase became emblematic of the era's atmosphere of fear and suspicion. The widespread inquisitions during this time are collectively referred to as McCarthyism, a term that describes the act of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence.
Throughout the early 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy made repeated allegations that Communists had infiltrated the United States government, specifically the State Department. Despite his claims, which fluctuated in the number of alleged Communists, McCarthy never provided concrete evidence to support his accusations, and his tactics were largely based on intimidation and innuendo.
In 1954, the televised Army-McCarthy Hearings became a turning point in public opinion against McCarthy. Prominent figures such as journalist Edward Murrow and Army counsel Joseph Welch challenged McCarthy's methods, leading to his eventual censure by the U.S. Senate. McCarthy's reckless and unsubstantiated allegations coupled with his attempts to indict individuals for Communist affiliations, without due evidence, earned him infamy and ultimately condemnation.