Senator Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy was an American politician who served in the U.S. Senate and became known for his anti-communist campaign, which led to the term McCarthyism.

Political Figure

November 14, 1908

May 02, 1957

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Joseph McCarthy was an American politician who represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate from 1947 until his death in 1957. He gained prominence for his fervent anti-communist pursuits during the Cold War era, which led to the creation of the term “McCarthyism.” McCarthy’s most notable efforts involved investigating alleged communist infiltration in the U.S. government and the Hollywood industry. He played a crucial role in founding the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and chaired it from 1953 to 1955. Additionally, McCarthy supported the Taft-Hartley Act and participated in inquiries into communist activities. An intriguing aspect of Senator McCarthy’s legacy is that his name became synonymous with the term McCarthyism, reflecting his zealous campaign against suspected communists in the early 1950s.