He practiced law in Wisconsin until 1939, when he was elected circuit court judge. During World War II he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, becoming a Captain during his service in the Pacific. In 1946 he was elected on the Republican ticket, as Wisconsin's senator. McCarthy was not popular until he made a speech in February 1950, claiming that the State Department was "infested" with communists, claiming that he had a list with him containing the names of the traitors. A Senate committee investigated the charges and found them groundless (Schultz, 1). However, even though he never provided evidence, he was supported by many people and gained a great deal of political power. He also had a lot of money sent to him from his supporters. Whenever he was asked for evidence on his accusations, he simply made more accusations. Any politician that opposed him was labeled as a communist by him and was eventually suspended, or in some cases not re-elected. Many politicians feared his power because he could prove that they were communists without any evidence at all. He was re-elected to the senate in 1952 and became the chairman of the Senate permanent investigations subcommittee (Government Operations Committee), a post in which he wielded even greater power; he used his new position to exploit the public's fear of communism. He used the Red Scare to become more and more influential. By using widely publicized hearings, the use of unidentified informers, and reckless accusation, McCarthy kept pursuing those he called Communists. Lives were ruined on the smallest hint of evidence, however his methods were beginning to be attacked by the press and his colleagues. This peak of McCarthyism is when he felt secure from all this power that he had gained. McCarthy had indeed used foul tactics and false accusations, but he was now in control, and he was the on with the power.
Although in theory, the persecution of communists is a noble cause and one to support, however, on such small evidence, and in some cases, none at all, many lives were ruined as a consequence.
