Joseph McCarthy

“The Man behind the Man”

Witch Hunt

• “Witch hunt”- refers to any search for a scapegoat who can be blamed for all the ills of society and whose removal will eliminate the problems.

McCarthyism

• McCarthyism- policy or practice of publicly accusing in a reckless manner, suspected individuals or groups of political disloyalty and subversion.

Are you a Subversive?

• Subversives- Those who engage in a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by working secretly from within. (For almost two years the struggle went on between president and senator over the proper way a democracy should handle so-called subversives.)

Are you a Demagogue?

• Demagogue- A leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power. (McCarthy was a demagogue.)

Enough is Enough…

• Censure- To find fault with and criticize as blameworthy. (In late 1954, the Senate censured McCarthy.)

Communism!!!

• Communism is the abolition of power of people over people, where the government holds all assets. Communism is based on mutual cooperation, peace and justice.

Who was Joseph McCarthy???

• Born Nov. 14, 1908 on a farm in Wisconsin.

• Attended Marquette University

• Graduated, and became a lawyer/ wasn’t successful (go figure!), boosted his income by playing poker.

“Dirty Politics????”• Originally a supporter of FDR and the New Deal.• Failed to become Democratic candidate for

District Attorney• Switched parties and became the Republican

Party candidate in an election to become circuit court judge.

• 1941, resigned as a circuit judge - joined the Marines.

McCarthy the Judge• Judge McCarthy treated first

offenders with leniency and expedited divorce cases.

• The Wisconsin Supreme Court criticized Judge McCarthy for destroying a court record in 1941.

• “Joe was full of vitality, piss, and vinegar. He opened the courtroom windows and let a little fresh air in.”-Francis Werner, (advisor to McCarthy’s circuit court judge campaign, 1939)

McCarthy the Marine• McCarthy joined the

Marines during World War II.

• Promoted to the rank of Captain.

• McCarthy briefed pilots before flights and questioned them on their return about enemy activity.

• McCarthy resigned from the Marines on December 11, 1944. (wounded)

On the campaign trail…• After the war, McCarthy ran against Robert La

Follette to become Republican candidate for the Senate in Wisconsin.

• Campaign Image: Full fighting gear with aviator’s cap, belts of machine-gun ammunition wrapped around bulky torso. Claimed involvement in 32 missions…..in reality- desk job with training exercises. Attacked La Follette for not enlisting.

A win for McCarthy!!!• Judge McCarthy

stands beside one of his campaign posters after he defeated Senator Robert M. La Follette, Jr. for the Republican Senate nomination in 1946.

McCarthy as Senator• McCarthy's first years in

the Senate were unimpressive.

• People claimed that he had lied about his war record.

• He was being investigated for tax offences and for taking bribes.

• Began a campaign against communist subversives working in the Democratic administration.

McCarthyism…• Feb. 1950, “compiled” a list of 57 people in state

department that were members of American Communist party.

• Some had been communists but others had been fascists, alcoholics and sexual deviants. As it happens, if McCarthy had been screened, his own drinking problems and sexual escapades would have resulted in him being put on the list.

McCarthy vs. Eisenhower

McCarthy’s Downfall…

• In 1954, he made accusations against the US Army

• Resulted in a nationally televised Senate investigation

• Censured by Senate in 1954.

Political Cartoon

•What does this cartoon say about Joseph McCarthy?

The End… Heavy drinker died of cirrhosis (chronic

liver disease – scaring of the liver), May 2, 1957 - while still in office.

Newspaper… “Drunk himself to death.”

His Legacy…• In defense of

McCarthy…

He was Right!!!

• However, he could never actually prove that subversives were infiltrating the government!!!