End of a Red-Hunter's Crusade: The Censure of Joseph McCarthy

Summary:

A review of famed Communist-chaser Senator Joseph McCarthy's legacy a half-century past his condemnation by Congress.

Website:

http://wpr.org/news/mccarthy.cfm

Tones:

Contemplative, Edgy, NPR NewsMagazine-y

Language:

English

Description:

(Aired on WPR on Dec. 2nd, 2004, to mark the 50-year anniversary of McCarthy's censure by the U.S. Senate)

On December 2nd, 1954, the U.S. Senate voted to censure Joseph McCarthy. The condemnation derailed the Wisconsin Senator's anti-Communist Crusade which he'd waged for nearly four years against suspected "Reds" in the government. His blistering attacks and accusations contributed highly to the Cold War paranoia that paralyzed many Americans during the 1950s. Following McCarthy's insinuations that Communist operatives were being allowed to operate within the U.S. Military, many in Congress -- including those in McCarthy's own Republican Party -- had had enough.

"End of a Red-Hunter's Crusade..." revisits McCarthy's influence on American society and politics, and how his legacy is viewed today by both critics and supporters. The piece also highlights similarities between the Red Scare and the current War on Terrorism. Recently, this mini-documentary won 2nd place in the 71st National Headliner Awards, and an Eric Sevareid Award of Merit by the Northwest Broadcasters News Association.

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