How did fear of the Soviet Union and Communism affect American culture and society? What role did Joseph McCarthy play in the hunt for communists. Why are his actions sometimes "likened to the witch hunts of old"? Can you think of any other "witch hunts" that have occured in U.S. history?

The dread of the Soviet Union's Communist influence suddenly changed the American culture and society for the worst in the 1940s and 1950s. The nation lived under the Red Scare and McCarthyism during the period.

Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. Senator, engineered the allegations against suspected communists, socialists, and their sympathizers. He manufactured baseless accusations against innocent people for involvement in communism. He accused some others of being spies for the Soviet Union.

McCarthy played a dishonorable role in the Red Scare.  Senator McCarthy's McCarthyism focused its obnoxious investigations on federal government workers, university personnel, actors, writers, and others for persecution.  The accused endured endless questioning by Senate Committees investigating communist links.

Like the Salem Witch saga of 1692 and 1693 in Massachusetts, many people were hunted, blamed, and persecuted.

Thus, the fear of Communism (Red Scare) and its offspring, McCarthyism, aroused and re-enacted the Salem Witch trials of old in U.S. history.

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The fear of the Soviet Union and communism led to hundreds of Americans sent into prisons while thousands lost their jobs.

Explanation:

Senator Joseph McCarthy started the era of McCarthyism in America. Under McCarthyism during the 1940s and 1950s, many people arrested by accusing as Communist secret agents without precise proof. During this period, many Americans blamed of being communists and questioned before the government. The main targets of doubts were government workers. Many people grieved the loss of employment while some imprisoned.

His actions are sometimes linked with witch hunt because people were questioned by government authorities and accused of having links with Soviet even though they have nothing to do with it.

Another witch hunt that has occurred in the U.S. history is the presence of the Witchcraft in Salem. The fear pushed innocent people in the trial who considered to be controlled by the devil. The fear enthralled the colonists in Salem Village, Massachusetts, which led to the death of 18 people because of the Witch Hunts.