Chapter 1 | McCarthy | American Experience | PBS

Preview the American Experience documentary, MCCARTHY.

MCCARTHY chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator who came to power after a stunning victory in an election no one thought he could win. Once in office, he declared that there was a vast conspiracy threatening America — emanating not from a rival superpower, but from within. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship and cruel victimization. With lawyer Roy Cohn at his side, he belittled critics, spinning a web of lies and distortions while spreading fear and confusion. After years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. But his name lives on linked to the modern-day witch hunt we call “McCarthyism.”

[floris.]

This track is called history and we have it on loop.

[SamLeeSmith]

After reading these comments it's clear that very few people learn from history. Don't worry it will always repeat itself.

[EdPaquette]

sounds a little familiar like what's going on today

[WmGood]

There is something for all of us to learn from McCarthy and that is to be on the lookout for another of like ilk. For example Trump. Different venues and topics but the same irrational con. And no, we never learn.

[harlow]

During WW 2 noted actor John Garfield set up the "Hollywood Canteen" were our soldiers could get free meals great entertainment and dance with famous few years later our wonderful government black listed him....destroyed his career and he died shorty their after in his 40's....

[Joey-bw]

McCarthy’s life highlights the dangers of not having a life and not have any hobbies, not having any real purpose, having too much time on your hands, and having the felt need to be the center of attention

[dhoward]

The birth of Roy Cohen. Did Joe know? Such a sad miserable life, spreading fear and hate while in a drunken stupor.

[matthewb]

Seems like McCarthy was right, Venona papers

[thebackgroundguy]

If there's something to learn in this comment section, it's that the Red Scare never ended.

[diwitdharpatitripathi]

Don't implicate, anyone. Without a verifiable facts, available for full scrutiny..

[imannonymous]

Is this entire documentary on here i cant find it

[aerodicus]

Who knew he’d be so correct in the decades to follow.

[pcoleman]

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

[JimArdal]

Interesting that I haven't yet seen anyone point out that McCarthy very much seems drunk during this exchange.

[Richard_K]

Tail Gunner Joe once took a dump and out came Ted Cruz. They both look alike too.

[eparg]

Who is his soviet counterpart ?
Andreii Vyshinsski .
Had a great career :
Chief prosecutor during the Stalin purges of in the late 1930ties
And after WWII soviet foreign minister.

And "inbetween" soviet prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials.

[g.r.senterprisevenatorclas]

McCarthy really was ahead of his time.

[jwduded]

Funny thing about him he was on the right track. Look at Hollywood today.

[jenmurphy]

He was right. Alarming how long this has been going on.

[BerraPettersson]

Remember horrible mcCarthy during the fifties - now, 70 years later, we have a new awful mcCarthy...