Catalogue Number
NMLH.2020.5.281
Object Name
Badge
Title
McCarthy
Place
USA
People
Joseph McCarthy
Events
Cold War
Date
1950s
Description
Round white badge with "McCarthy" across the centre in blue with a red star underneath the small "c". Above is a blue stripe, lining up with a red stripe below, to look like a ribbon. The badge likely refers to Joseph McCarthy, the US Republican Senator from 1947 to 1957. He became widely known for alleging that communists and Soviet spies had infiltrated American government, universities and industry during the Cold War tensions. McCarthyism now refers to repression of left-wing individuals and spreading fear of communist influence on America.
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