Final task McCartyism

Elyne Brishoual

Table of contents

• Definiton of McCarthyism
• The origin of McCarthyism
• Historical Context

• How does McCarthyism work?
• Another exemple of a modern witch hunt

McCarthyism represents a period in the american History, compared to a modern witch hunt. McCarthyism has been created during the Cold War, in the 50s and it is based on an anti-communism system. Indeed, it aims to persecute people who are supporting communism.

McCarthy creates a list of 26 000 people who are suspected of supporting communism

The FBI assures that a some spies are infiltrated in some different domains like in the press, the government or even the cinema

1947

Some hearrings are organized to denouce publicly people who are accused of supporting communism

1947-1958

The origin of McCarthyism

After that, people in the USA started becoming paranoid about the spreading of communism in their country. This paranoia is encouraged by the press, medias and political men.

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McCarthyism

How does McCarthyism were working?

People were questionned about their political opinions and they were accused of being linked to communism and not being loyal to their country. They were also forced to denouce their relatives, friends, colleagues, associates.

Indeed some people were blacklisted especially in the cinema.

Some celebrities named the Hollywood Ten have been blacklisted for being accused of supporting communism.

Another exemple of a modern witch hunt: people with AIDS

During the late 70s, a virus started spreading in the United States, it was at first identified as the "gay disease"

Thank you!