McCarthyism

McCarthyism, political movement named after Republican Senator Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin that investigated suspected Communist activities in the United States in the early 1950s. Fearing a Communist takeover of the U.S. government, McCarthy conducted public investigations of suspected officials (and civilians). None of his suspicions were substantiated. He was “condemned” by the Senate in 1954, after having ruined many lives and careers. In contemporary terminology, McCarthyism denotes accusations of disloyalty to the United States or subversive activities based on insufficient evidence.