Name:______________________________ Date: ________

U.S. History
Unit #9 The Cold War
Joe McCarthy
Overview:
In the 1950s, fear of communism and communist infiltration spread over the U.S. While
the threat was never real, some sought to take advantage of the situation for political gain.
One such person was Joseph McCarthy, Republican Senator from Wisconsin.

McCarthy began by making several unsupported allegations at a press conference in

which he claimed that he held in his hands a piece of paper with the names of 57, or 81,
or 205 communists working in the State Department (not only was he vague on the
specific number, but he never produced one single name). While McCarthy’s ruthless
tactics were frequently criticized, many Democrats and Republicans were fearful of
publicly confronting him.

Finally, however, when McCarthy took on the U.S. Army, televised hearings showed
millions just how brutal his tactics were and alienated many Americans. Soon after, the
Senate censured McCarthy, and his fame and power began to fade. In 1957, he died from
the effects of alcoholism.

Introduction:
In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy addressed the Women’s Club of Wheeling, West
Virginia, and asserted that he had the names of alleged “communists” working in the
State Department. This speech began McCarthy’s rise to power as a staunch anticommunist.
His subsequent speeches and the congressional hearings his allegations
brought about caused many to fear him, and deterred all but a few from speaking out
against him. Eventually, McCarthy “fell from grace,” was censured by the Senate, and died
of alcoholism just a few years later.
Joseph R. McCarthy, from Speech Delivered to the
Women's Club of Wheeling, West Virginia (1950)

Five years after a world war has been one, men's hearts should anticipate a long peace,
and men's minds should be free from the heavy weight that comes from war. But this is
not such a period-for this is not a period of peace. This is a time of the "cold war." This is
a time when all the world is split into two vast, increasingly hostile armed camps. . . .

The reason why we find ourselves in a position of impotency is not because our only
powerful potential enemy has sent men to invade our shores, but rather because of the
traitorous actions of those who have been treated so well by this Nation. It has not been
the less fortunate or members of minority groups who have been selling this Nation out,
but rather those who have had all the benefits that the wealthiest nation on earth has to
offer-the finest homes, the finest college education, and the finest jobs in Government.
This is glaringly true in the State Department. There the bright young men who are born
with silver spoons in their mouths are the ones who have been the worst. . . . In my
opinion, the State Department, which is one of the most important government
departments, is thoroughly infested with Communists.

I have in my hand 57 cases of individuals who would appear to be either card carrying
members or certainly loyal to the Communist Party, but who nevertheless are still helping
to shape our foreign policy. . . .

As you know, very recently the Secretary of State proclaimed his loyalty to a man guilty
of what has always been considered as the most abominable of all crimes-of being a
traitor to the people who gave him a position of great trust. The Secretary of State in
attempting to justify his continued devotion to the man who sold out the Christian world
to the atheistic world, referred to Christ's Sermon on the Mount as a justification and
reason therefor, and the reaction of the American people to this would have made the
heart of Abraham Lincoln happy.

When this pompous diplomat in striped pants, with a phony British accent, proclaimed to
the American people that Christ on the Mount endorsed communism, high treason, and a
betrayal of a sacred trust, the blasphemy was so great that it awakened the dormant
indignation of the American people.

He has lighted the spark which is resulting in a moral uprising and will end only when the
whole sorry mess of twisted, warped thinkers are swept from the national scene so that
we may have a new birth of national honesty and decency in government.

1. On what occasion did McCarthy address the Women’s Club?

2. How did McCarthy describe the “Cold War”?

3. McCarthy noted that “we are engaged in a final, all out battle.” How did he characterize
the two sides in the “battle”? Why do you think he portrayed the Cold War in this manner?
4. McCarthy goes further to note that although the U.S. was the strongest nation on Earth
after World War II, it had failed “miserably” at being a “beacon in the desert of destruction.”
What evidence did McCarthy give to support this assertion? Who in particular did he blame
for America’s “failure”?

5. McCarthy specifically noted two State Department employees (John Service and Gustave
Duran). What did he say about both?

6. According to McCarthy, how many “cases of individuals who would appear to be either
card-carrying members or certainly loyal to the Communist Party” did he have “in his hand”?
Why did McCarthy claim these “communists” were especially “sinister”?

7. McCarthy also mentioned the case of Alger Hiss. What sorts of crimes or charges did
McCarthy level against Hiss?
8. According to McCarthy, why didn’t Congress do something about “the graft, the
corruption, the dishonesty, the disloyalty, the treason in high government positions”?

9. McCarthy referred to recent comments by the Secretary of State. What did McCarthy
accuse the Secretary of doing? According to McCarthy, how did the Secretary’s reference
to the Sermon on the Mount “awaken the dormant indignation of the American people”?

10. McCarthy had no solid evidence to back his claims and accusations, yet few spoke
out against him. Why do you think this was so? Explain your view.