American Experience Presents

Part 1: The Birth of McCarthyism


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Joseph McCarthy grows up on a Wisconsin farm where he learns the value of hard work. After serving in World War II, he capitalizes on his military service to launch a successful Senate campaign. As the Cold War intensifies, McCarthy seizes the opportunity to exploit public fears of communism, framing himself as a defender of American democracy. Discover how his rise coincides with a national climate of paranoia, setting the stage for the demagoguery that would define McCarthy's career—all against the backdrop of a nation grappling with its identity and values.

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Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

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American Experience PresentsBy GBH

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