What does the term McCarthyism usually refer to in U.S. history?
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Correct answer: Making unproven accusations of communism or disloyalty
McCarthyism refers to the practice of making damaging accusations, especially about communist ties, without proper evidence. It is named after Senator Joseph McCarthy, who became famous for anti-communist investigations in the early 1950s.
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More McCarthyism and Red Scare questions
- Which U.S. senator became the central figure associated with McCarthyism?
- What broader Cold War fear helped fuel the Second Red Scare?
- Which event in 1949 increased American fears of communist expansion in Asia?
- Which Cold War development in 1949 increased fears that the United States had lost its nuclear monopoly?
- What was the House Un-American Activities Committee, often called HUAC?
- Why was Hollywood targeted during the Red Scare?