civil liberties of Americans.
             Upon completing an uncertain first term, and facing certain defeat in the coming election, McCarthy sought to gain popularity by capitalizing on the common fear of Communism. McCarthy first attracted national attention in February 1950, with stunning revelations that the Department of State had been infiltrated by Communists (Reeves, Pg.209). He reportedly had in his possession a list of Communist sympathizers within the federal agencies (O'Brien, Pg.147). His accusations were never proven, but duri
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