Question

Primary Source: McCarthy's Telegram to Truman​ What can you infer from the primary source about the purpose of this piece of literature? How did the author intend his work to be taken and used? Was he trying to be controversial or calming? How does it all influence the meaning of the piece?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. The purpose of this source is to show an account of how Senator McCarthy, even without evidence, provoked an aversion to communism and a persecution of all those who sympathized with communism and the Soviet Union. This was the beginning of the moment known as the "red panic" and the policy known as McCarthismo.

2. The author wanted the telegram to be used as a fuel for his campaign for re-election to the American Senate, he needed a very controversial subject and of interest to the public. In addition, he needed to position himself as someone who was struggling to free American society from threats.

3. The author was trying to be polemic, showing a group of American government officials working for the Soviet Union and Communism. With that he stated that the American government was being spied on within the government itself and that there were traitorous Americans.

4. All this gives this piece a high historical and political value, as it shows how the pillars of the cold war were formed, as well as showing how political propaganda is influential in society.