During the 1950s, with domestic tensions running high, American xenophobia against the communist Russia was reaching its peak. While Americans were fearful of communists outside of the United States, this fear also manifested itself domestically; the war waged against communism was now being fought on two fronts, in Europe, and at home as well. However, the very real threat of soviet espionage was perverted and used as a political tool. McCarthy, playing to the fervor of anti-communism, used defamation in conjunction with Communist “Witch Hunts” to promote his campaign and increase his reputation. Throughout the McCarthy Era, many Americans fell prey to the dubious accusations that McCarthyism proliferated. McCarthy capitalized on the paranoia
