Joseph McCarthy: The Boy Who Cried Communist(Interesting Biographies #6)

During the last few years the US has heard wild accusations coming from both parties. Lies are associated with politicians. If their was a politician that people would say was the human representation of those lies it would be Joseph McCarthy. During the Cold War this man sent the government on a wild goose chase or communist chase in this case. Was he completely wrong? If we examine McCarthy's actions we can learn a very important lesson.

McCarthy was born on November 14, 1908, in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. He joined the US Marine Corps and fought in World War II. After the war he won the 1946 senate election for Wisconsin as a Republican. McCarthy did not stand out during his first term, but when he did it was not for the better. He was seen as a corporate sell out. There was an incident where McCarthy claimed the US military illegally tortured German soldiers to have them confess a massacre. However, he had no proof. This led him to being voted as "the worst US senator currently in office". It's ironic because you would think McCarthy would have learned a lesson from this; don't make accusations you can't back up. However, he learned nothing.

On February 9, 1950, McCarthy made the infamous announcement during a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia. There people claimed he announced, "The State Department is infested with communists. I have here in my hand a list of 205—a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department." This was McCarthy's political equivalent to Miley Cyrus's performance at the 2013 VMAs. At the time Americans, especially the government was afraid of Communists. McCarthy decided to become the driver of the Communist hate band wagon. Keep in mind I said "people claimed he announced". There is no official audio of the speech. Some people claim the list was said to have both Communists and Communist Sympathizers. Also the number he said is debated. 

To McCarthy's surprise the media actually wanted him to provide evidence for his claims. McCarthy wasn't exactly what one would call a "good liar" because not only did he refuse to show his sources, but he also kept changing up the number of Communists that he was accusing. Some people say in his defense that the change in numbers was due to the State Department's personnel transferring in and out. There was a series of hearings called the Tydings Committee Hearings where Democrats challenged McCarthy to back up his claims. McCarthy failed to support his case in those hearings completely, but that did not stop him from spreading the fear of Communism. His main argument was that the government was failing to see the Communists that had infiltrated it. Overtime he gained fame, popularity, and a following from people. However, he still had his opponents. They created the phrase, "McCarthyism". "McCartyism" is making accusations of disloyalty without having any evidence to back it up. So basically it's the political term for "bullshit".  

(The political cartoon that coined the phrase, "McCarthyism".)

Despite the controversy surrounding him, McCarthy was reelected for the Wisconsin senate seat in 1952. By then his influence was huge. Even President Eisenhower was afraid to  publically criticize him. McCarthy had become the bully on the playground every kid was afraid of. At this point the Communist investigation had become a witch hunt, which is actually an appropriate comparison to make because Arthur Miller's famous play; "The Crucible", was based on the insanity of McCarthyism.  

(Political cartoon that illustrates McCarthy's big influence on the government.)

In 1953, he became the head of the Senate Committee on Government Operations. The committee investigated people and organizations suspected of Communism. They attacked news shows, movies, and libraries. If you had a film on Communism, you were a Communist. If you wanted to educate yourself on Communism, you were a Communist. If you knew about Communism, you were a Communist. If you wore red, you were a Communist. If your name began with the letter "C", you were a Communist. Point being that no one was safe from the committee.

However, the committee doomed themselves when they began to investigate the US Army. This led to the infamous televised Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954, which lasted for thirty-six days. The most famous moment of trials and the day that ended McCarthy's career was on June 9th, the 30th day of the trials. McCarthy was accusing a man named Fred Fisher of Communist ties. At that moment the army's chief legal representative, Joseph Nye Welch was being questioned. Angry at McCarthy's accusation toward Fisher, Welch said,  "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness ...Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" The audience applauded after he said that. If this were a rap battle, McCarthy would have been served.

(Political cartoon of McCarthy after the hearings.)

On December 2, 1954, after the disastrous hearings, the Senate voted to censure McCarthy for false accusations and abusing his power. When the Senate censures someone, all they are really doing is saying that the guy is "disapproved". The person isn't punished, just given a bad name. 

In his final years McCarthy was ostracized from society. He sank into a deep depression and became an alcoholic. On May 2, 1957, McCarthy died of hepatitis caused by his alcoholism. 

Was McCarthy a total fraud? While the majority of people agree he was there are some who say we should reevaluate him. Recently the Venona Files were released. These files have names of Communists in the government during McCarthy's time. 159 of those names were used or referenced by McCarthy, so he actually might have had legit info. However, the files have not been approved by the history committee yet. Critics have bashed its legitimacy. Looking at the 159 names alone, it is believed a majority of them were not actual threats. Could the Democrats have painted a false picture of McCarthy? Maybe, but then again McCarthy was not perfect. He still went after the wrong guys. He crossed the line.

What can we learn from McCarthy? Besides the obvious don't lie. Today when I think of American politicians and the accusations they have made I realize that they need to be called out. The media needs to do a better job of researching claims and letting the truth out there. For example there is a great website called politifact.com. It's a nonpartisan website that researches politicians claims and states whether they are false or not. The media needs to be like this. It is infuriating how politicians will get away with bullshit claims and people will buy it. McCarthy teaches us that we  can't take someone's word when it comes to politics, you have to research it on your own.

This has been the sixth installment of my Interesting Biographies series. Follow my blog for more post like this in the future. Also check out my previous biographies. Leave a comment if there is someone you want me to do a biography on.