American Experience Presents: The Birth of McCarthyism
The FRONTLINE Dispatch
McCarthy's Rise and Red Scare Politics
This chapter explores the intense political climate of the late 1940s, marked by Joe McCarthy's surprising Senate campaign and victory against Robert LaFollette Jr. It details grassroots campaign strategies and the personal connections forged with voters, unfolding against a backdrop of increasing fears related to the Soviet threat. Additionally, it examines the implications of McCarthyism, the activities of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and the broader impact on American politics and civil liberties during this tumultuous period.
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