McCarthy Ignites Red Scare: Fear Sweeps Washington
Senator Joseph McCarthy publicly accused the U.S. Department of State of harboring a vast network of Communists, triggering a decade-long wave of loyalty oaths and blacklists that destroyed careers across Hollywood, academia, and government. This aggressive campaign forced countless individuals to testify against colleagues or lose their livelihoods, effectively chilling political dissent and redefining American civil liberties for generations.
February 9, 1950
76 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on February 9
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