Joseph Mccarthyism And The Red Scare

“Innocent until proven guilty”, a principle set forth by the founder fathers is fundamental for the protection of human and civil rights. However, “guilty until proven innocent” seemed to be the new slogan the judicial branch abided by during a dark time known as the red scare. The red scare can best be defined as a widespread series of actions by individuals and organizations whose, “intentions were to frighten Americans with false and highly exaggerated charges of Communist subversion for the purpose of political, economic, and psychological profit (Carleton 14).” The apparent threat of communism was one that erupted throughout the nation beginning during the cold war and lasted well into the 1960s. The face of this movement was Joseph McCarthy, a Republican Wisconsin senator, who’s movement and political tactics are now commonly referred to as a McCarthyism. McCarthyism is essentially the “use of indiscriminate, often unfounded accusations, inquisitorial …show more content…
Thousands of Americans, in a wide range of professions, were accused, more specifically those in the media. Media, in the form of radio, print, and most popularly, television, was under extreme investigation. The growing power and expansion of the entertainment industry became an area of communication and self-expression. Consequently, this posed a threat as communist ideals could essentially infiltrate the American media in this way. McCarthyism was responsible for the demise of dozens of industries, specifically the entertainment industry, individual careers, and basic civil liberties as many were considered “guilty” based on evidence that was merely