Most generally this is an Americanism which means the act of legislatively levelling accusations of treason or subversion without supporting evidence. Specifically, it arose from the activities of the House Un-American Activities Committeeinto the activities of "suspected Communists", chaired by Sen. Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957) of Wisconsin, most prominently toward the Hollywood blacklist.
Joseph McCarthy.
McCarthyism....? early 1940s to late 1950s
U. S. Senator Joseph McCarthy In the 1950s he was infamous for his "witch hunt" for communists.
McCarthy lost power when the press criticized him it proved to be an ineffective tool against communism
McCarthyism struck fear into all the hearts in America as Senator McCarthy falsely accused many people for being communists. There was a lot of disillusionment during this time.
He instituted fear for the Reds, and created more distrust for the government by the people.
McCarthyism made Democrats seem soft on Communism.
Joseph McCarthy did not hunt witches, he sought out and persecuted anyone who had communistic values or tendencies, he would oversee hearings and blackballed so many people that this kind of persecution is known as "McCarthyism"
Joseph McCarthy accused Arthur Miller of being a communist, so the feelings that he harbored toward McCarthy were unpleasant, to say the least. His play "After the Fall" seems to be modeled on his feelings.
I don't really know. In fact, I have never heard of it, but I think that, by looking at the name, it was invented by a man with the last name of McCarthy.
McCarthyism are attacks (made) by Senator Joseph McCarthy (and others).
Joseph McCarthy's career was furthered by the Cold War, as the Cold War brought about the red scare, and it gave a rapid rise to Mccarthyism in america, and Joseph McCarthy was very busy hunting communists for quite some time.