The McCarthy era refers to a period in the United States during the 1950s when Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign against suspected communists, resulting in widespread fear, suspicion, and government investigations.
Related terms
Red Scare: A term used to describe the widespread fear of communism in the United States during the Cold War.
Blacklist: A list of individuals who were suspected of being communists or communist sympathizers that resulted in them being denied employment opportunities.
First Amendment: The constitutional amendment that guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition.