Cold War Resources

13. McCarthyism

Websites & Articles

Videos

*McCarthyism (Britannica, free version)

Feb. 9, 1950: Sen. Joseph McCarthy Announces “Enemies Within” (Zinn History Project)

McCarthyism & the First Amendment (Cobblestone, Middle Search Plus)

Anti-Communism in the 1950s (Khan Academy)

Timelines

McCarthy Career Timeline (Wisconsin Historical Society) - "Red Scare" events begin around in 1946 & 1947.

Primary Source Documents

"Enemies within" speech by McCarthy in 1950, West Virginia (History Matters, George Mason University)

Bonus Resources

McCarthyism & the "Red Scare" (Miller Center, Univ. of Virginia)

What is McCarthyism and How Did it Happen (video, 6 mins., TED-Ed)

McCarthyism Inspired Political Cartoons (American Experience, PBS) see also: A Cartoonist Spoofs Anti-Communist Crusaders (CUNY)

December 2, 1964: Anti-Communist Senator Joseph McCarthy is Condemned (New York Times)

eBook

Communism and the Red Scare (eBook, Explora for Middle School)

*Joseph McCarthy: Senator of Anti-Communism

Joseph McCarthy: Senator of Anti-Communism | American Experience | PBSThe McCarthy hearings are now emblematic of the 1950s "Red Scare."

McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" Speech

Senator Joe McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" SpeechSenator McCarthy delivered the speech at a Lincoln Day dinner hosted by the Ohio County Republican Women's Club on February 9, 1950, at the McClure Hotel in Wheeling, West Virginia. In his speech, Senator McCarthy attacked the Truman administration and accused more than 200 Americans of being members of the Communist Party. Margaret Brennan described the speech and beginnings of McCarthyism.

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