The answer is McCarthyism.
During this period, the U.S. was determine to prevent the spread of
communism in its territories.
Surveillance and warrantless arrest of suspects were rampant. Many lost their careers after being branded a
communist while others were put in jail.
Many criticized this actions as unconstitutional.
<em>In the 1950s, the tactic that was used to spread fear using often baseless accusations of Communist activities in the United States was known as McCarthyism.
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If there was an individual responsible for the spreading of fear of Communism in the United States, it was Wisconsin’s Senator, Joseph McCarthy. He developed a doubtful practice called McCarthyism, that unfortunately was believed by a large number of Americans. McCarthyism consisted of accusing people of having Communist ideas without any kind of evidence. As simple as if any person could accuse someone of Communist, the individual was in real trouble.