In 1950, a junior senator named Joseph McCarthy went on the offensive against communist subversion. Unlike many other investigators, McCarthy declared that he
possessed concrete facts: a list containing the names of Soviet sympathizers holding
high ranks in the US government. McCarthy went on to terrorize and abuse people
from all walks of life for several years. The senator's investigation into high-ranking
military personnel led to his final undoing and censure by the Senate. In retrospect,
people believe that McCarthy never had a legitimate list of names and that his
attacks were predominantly fabricated, leading to the popular conception of
McCarthy as an amoral political opportunist.
• Text describing the height of the second Red Scare
What was likely McCarthy's most powerful tool in his inquiries? A. The prestige of position B. His disregard for the truth C. The public's fear of communism D. His relentless attitude