The Era of the "Ism" : Senator Joseph McCarthy's Political Rise

Abstract

This paper takes a look at the life and career of former Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy while attempting to determine what role McCarthyism played at this time and also if McCarthyism is still evident today. Some examples from Senator McCarthy?s early career as a lawyer and freshman politician help illustrate the possible foundation of McCarthyism and examines whether or not McCarthyism is found to be ideological in nature.