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McCarthyism and the Anti-Communist Movement
Introduction
McCarthyism is often synonymous with Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist campaign in the 1950s, but as Ellen Schrecker and Phillip Deery argue in The Age of McCarthyism 3d Edition, this term is a misnomer because the anti-communist movement was much broader than just McCarthy's antics. This paper will argue that while McCarthy played a significant role in the anti-communist movement, it was not central, and without him, McCarthyism would have still occurred in substantially similar ways. This argument is supported by various historical examples from The Age of McCarthyism. The thesis of this paper is that
McCarthy's role in the anti-communist movement was significant, but not central, and without him, McCarthyism would have still occurred in substantially similar ways due to the broader political and cultural context that fostered anti-communist sentimentsit would just be known today under a different name or banner.
A Question of Loyalty
The Loyalty-Security Program, which was initiated by President Truman in 1947, was a clear example of how the anti-communist movement was more significant than just McCarthy's crusade. The program required all federal employees to undergo background checks and loyalty tests to determine whether they posed a security risk. The program continued long after McCarthy's censure in 1954, which shows that the anti-communist movement was a broader societal concern that existed beyond the senator's actions (Deery and Schrecker).
The program was not just an isolated initiative but reflected the general fear of communism that existed in American society at the time. Truman himself was a fervent anti-communist who believed that communism posed a significant threat to American democracy. The program aimed to root out supposed communist subversion within the government, which was seen...…the nation enthralled for months (Deery and Schrecker). Hollywood has always been a hot topic in American media, and here was a giant Hollywood scandal that the media could hype to sell papers and advertising. The media, particularly newspapers, played a significant role in stoking anti-communist sentiments, framing communism as an existential threat to American values. This example further demonstrates that McCarthy was not central to the anti-communist movement, but rather one player among many who were instrumental in promoting anti-communist sentiment.
In conclusion, while McCarthy played a significant role in the anti-communist movement, it was not central. Without him, McCarthyism would have still occurred in substantially similar ways due to the broader political and cultural context that fostered anti-communist sentiments. The evidence from various historical documents and testimonies demonstrates that McCarthy was not the sole driver of the anti-communist movement, but rather one…
Works Cited
Deery, Phillip, and E. Schrecker. The age of McCarthyism: A brief history with documents.
Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016.
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