McCarthyist
Accusing without evidence
McCarthyist describes someone who makes accusations of disloyalty or subversion without proper evidence, or tactics resembling those of Senator Joseph McCarthy's 1950s anti-communist campaign.
The term implies reckless allegations, guilt by association, and public smearing: The hearings had a McCarthyist quality, demanding people name names.
As a noun, a McCarthyist is one who employs such methods.
Red Scare congressional committee
- Red ScareAnti-communist hysteria period
- loyalty oathsRequired statements affirming devotion
- un-AmericanContrary to national ideals
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
fellow traveler · pinko · red-baiting · informant · testimony · hearings · Fifth Amendment · clearance
Persecution of supposed subversives
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
character assassination · denunciation · vilification · scapegoating · finger-pointing · political persecution · public humiliation · interrogation
Uncontrollable emotional excess
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- fear-mongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated alarm
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
infiltration · subversion · alarmism · political climate · surveillance · dossiers · reds under the bed · fifth column
Exclude by negative vote
- Hollywood blacklistFilm industry political exclusion
- unemployableUnfit for hiring
- persona non grataOfficially unwelcome individual
- ostracismBanishment from a group
banishment · exclusion · shunning · censorship · suppression · silencing · career destruction · studio system
Manipulative political rhetoric
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- downfallSudden loss of power
- discreditedProven unworthy of trust
cautionary tale · civil liberties · First Amendment · due process · political repression · chilling effect · rehabilitation · apology
HUAC
Red Scare congressional committee
- Red ScareAnti-communist hysteria period
- loyalty oathsRequired statements affirming devotion
- un-AmericanContrary to national ideals
subversive · fellow traveler · pinko · red-baiting · informant · testimony · hearings · Fifth Amendment · clearance · front organization
witch-hunt
Persecution of supposed subversives
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
innuendo · character assassination · denunciation · vilification · scapegoating · finger-pointing · political persecution · public humiliation · interrogation · hostile witness
hysteria
Uncontrollable emotional excess
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- fear-mongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated alarm
conspiracy · infiltration · subversion · alarmism · political climate · surveillance · dossiers · reds under the bed · fifth column · spy ring
blackball
Exclude by negative vote
- Hollywood blacklistFilm industry political exclusion
- unemployableUnfit for hiring
- persona non grataOfficially unwelcome individual
ostracism · banishment · exclusion · shunning · censorship · suppression · silencing · career destruction · studio system · entertainment industry
demagoguery
Manipulative political rhetoric
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- downfallSudden loss of power
discredited · cautionary tale · civil liberties · First Amendment · due process · political repression · chilling effect · rehabilitation · apology · overreach
McCarthyistEdward R. Murrow
evenhanded · pluralist · anti-censorship · constitutionalist · Thurgood Marshall
McCarthyistimpartial
Showing no preference
evidence-based · judicious · scrupulous · fair-minded · fact-finder