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[–] Drenki 1 point 0 points (+1|-1) ago 

Has anyone else heard a different explanation of what McCarthyism was really about?

I heard it argued that it wasn't about finding "communists" so much as those engaging in "un-American activities".

What qualified as an "un-American activities?" People who were influencing the government outside of the electoral process.

I believe you could be a member of the communist party and it was just another political party. The concern was that these people were willing to step beyond the influence their demographic would normally have by doing things that were actually illegal or treasonous. Not the BS kind of treason charge thrown at someone like Snowden.

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[–] KhuanZi ago 

McCarthyism was about purging the government, and later Hollywood, of anyone who held the wrong opinions.

I heard it argued that it wasn't about finding "communists" so much as those engaging in "un-American activities".

Yes, that's what McCarthy said it was about. He was a fascist liar though. He was going after communists.

I believe you could be a member of the communist party and it was just another political party.

You could be a member of the communist party, but if you were you would be blacklisted from government jobs.