McCarthy- Force for Good or Evil?

Some say Senator McCarthy prevented the US from falling to communism. The fear of communism caused the American people to have increased awareness and suspicion. It allowed the government to purge communism out of all areas of American life, and one could argue that ultimately, America was saved. While all of this is true, there is debate over whether McCarthy truly did a good deed for American society - it is enormously difficult to ignore …

…Scare may have prevented communism spreading in the US, but during that time communism was not a significant threat. McCarthy's fabrications were a stretch on the truth. He caused widespread, unnecessary paranoia and ruined the lives of many American citizens and even his political opponents. It is difficult to credit McCarthy with saving the US from communism because that would mean remaining utterly ignorant of the numerous negative effects of the Red Scare he began.