McCarthyism McCarthyism was defined as the use of intimidation and unfounded accusations in the name of fighting communism. “It is a lack of intelligent discussion, the presumption of guilt instead of innocence, and the idea of guilt by association.” (http://web.demigod.org/~zak/ documents/high-school/paper-mccarthyism/html) It is important to realize that the idea McCathyistic idea of ignorant persecution did not come into being in the 1950’s but had already existed for hundreds of years, with such historical examples as the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Hunts. “Mc Carthy was not dedicated to finding Communists in