16. The Decline of McCarthyism
The tide began to turn with the nationally televised Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954. McCarthy’s aggressive tactics and lack of concrete evidence were exposed to a wide audience, sparking widespread public and media criticism. His credibility crumbled as colleagues and journalists openly challenged his methods. By the end of the hearings, McCarthy’s influence had evaporated, signaling the waning of an era defined by suspicion and fear.
