Powerpoint for McCarthyismness
- 1. Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist party? McCarthyism You are seeing today an all out (Humanity VS. Society) attempt to marshal the forces of the opposition… Jessica Travis Autumn Scruggs 3B I am always Ashley Phillips AP Eng. chasing rainbows, waiting to find a little bluebird in vain!
- 2. Terms to know: McCarthyism – 1. the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro- Communist activity, in many instances unsupported by proof or based on slight, doubtful, or irrelevant evidence. 2. the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism. Humanity – 1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind. 2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature. Society – 1. an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, p atriotic, or other purposes. 2. a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
- 3. Joseph McCarthy. - “McCarthyism is Americanism with its sleeves rolled up.” November 14, 1908 Joseph McCarthy is born in Appleton, Wisconsin Education He dropped out of grade school at age 14, but returned to finish his studies in 1928, permitting him to attend Marquette University Received law diploma and began to dabble in unsuccessful law practices Politics Was a Democrat early on, but switched into the Republican Party after being overlooked as a candidate in the Democratic Party for district attorney
- 4. Joseph McCarthy. - “This is the most unheard of thing I’ve heard of.” Campaign To stimulate political career, McCarthy quit his job as circuit court judge and joined the Marines during World War II. McCarthy ran as the Republican candidate for the Wisconsin Senate seat, where he used propaganda and accusations against his opponent, Robert La Follette, to promote his own campaign McCarthy won the election by saying La Follette wasn’t a good American because he didn’t enlist in the war
- 5. Joseph McCarthy. - “The fate of the world rests with the clash between the atheism of Moscow and the Christian spirit throughout the world.” Re-Election McCarthy had an unimpressive first term, so he searched for ways to ensure his political success, resorting even to corruption Edmund Walsh, a close fellow Roman Catholic and anti-communist, suggested a crusade against so- called communists. McCarthy enthusiastically agreed and took advantage of the nation’s wave of fanatic terror against communism Thus beginning the era of McCarthyism
- 6. Red Scare/McCarthy Era Itbegan when Joseph McCarthy made a speech on Lincoln Day, February 9, 1950, to the Republican Women's Club of Wheeling, West Virginia. He produced a piece of paper which he claimed contained a list of 205 known Communists working for the State Department The American public went crazy with the thought of seditious communists living within the United States, and roared for the investigation of the underground agitators.
- 7. Red Scare/McCarthy Era Thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers Became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. Suspicions were often believed despite inconclusive or questionable evidence, and the threat posed by a person's real or supposed communist involvement was exaggerated. Many people suffered loss of employment and/or destruction of their careers Some even suffered imprisonment
- 8. Victims The number imprisoned is in the hundreds, and some ten or twelve thousand lost their jobs Main targets were government employees, those in the entertainment industry, educators and union activists. Suspected homosexuality was also a common cause for being targeted. The hunt for "sexual perverts", who were presumed to be subversive by nature, resulted in thousands being harassed and denied employment Notable reporters were also targeted, especially if they spoke out against McCarthy.
- 9. Wait... Very few amounts of evidence. This evidence isn’t even worthy of being evidence. Most of the time the evidence is coincidental at best. So why did they suffer through all of this? Our guess? Because McCarthy said they were communist.
- 10. McCarthyism and Humanity Joseph McCarthy caused mass mayhem and nation-wide panic through his use of reiterating the words “Communists are bad, and they are infiltrating our government.” Joseph McCarthy may or may not have been a crazy man. He may or may not have truly believed his own words. But this one man, who only did this out of sheer desire to be remembered in history books, sparked an era of fear and paranoia. Because of his speeches, because of his words, society molded into what he wished. Society has the power to corrupt a thousand people. One man’s words can force any number of individuals to believe anything.
- 11. How it Relates to the Crucible Arthur Miller himself was one of the people accused of communism. He based his book on the McCarthy era trials, but also on the Salem Witch Trials. Just like Joseph McCarthy, the girls in the Crucible screamed an accusation and society conformed to it. They instantly believed the accusation, and a period of fear and paranoia overtook society. The accused in both worlds had a choice. Hand over names of others, whom are most likely innocent, or refuse and go through hardship. Those who handed over names were given a lesser punishment.
- 12. Conclusion Joseph McCarthy cried Communism with his selfish desires, thus forcing society to mold to his will. He fed off pre-existing fear and turned it into a mass hysteria. This and other historical examples prove just how much society will conform. Humanity is prone to be followers. Words can influence a nation, and even bend them to your will.