Exposing Joe McCarthy

 Senator Joe McCarthy is one of the strongest pro-American figures in the history of the United States. He indeed was the creator if McCarthyism, a witch-hunt and anti-communist hysteria. "McCarthyism was a reckless political gamble to convince voters that the Democratic Party had presided over the country through two decades of not unfortunate accidents or errors--but treason" Streitmatter 157. 

The media was known for McCarthy's uprising. His ability to manipulate the press was astounding. "In his book Joe McCarthy and the Press, Edwin R. Bayley concluded that McCarthy, "was able to generate massive publicity because he understood the press, its practices,  and its values; he knew what made news" Streitmatter 162. He manipulated newspapers into printing dozens of lies. His sneaky ways and intelligence, lead him to know the exact time of when to make a claim. This way no one would be able to track it down and catch him.  

However, one man was determined to stop his madness, and exploit him to the world. Edward R. Murrow, creator of See It Now on CBS. See it now focused on a number of controversial issues in the 1950's , but mainly criticized McCarthy and the Red Scare. Contributing to the downfall of Senator Joe McCarthy. Murrow used excerpts from McCarthy's speeches to prove where he contradicted himself. "He accused McCarthy of terrorizing innocent people and lying to the American public" Streitmatter 166. This backlash against Joe McCarthy was a major turning point in the history of television. 

Separate but Equal

The discrimination against African Americans proceeded the era known as the Civil Rights Movement. This movement was important to the history of the United States. It established that discrimination was unjust and would no longer be tolerated in the country, while setting an example for oppressed people everywhere. "

"Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, prompted blacks to challenge unjust laws and discriminatory practices" Streitmatter 174. However, their challenges failed, and that is where TV  played its role. Television helped publicize the civil rights movement. It allowed people all over the nation to see the violence, unfairness, hatred, and oppression of the black people. "Television was a critical prod to America's conscience and the spur to congressional action" Streitmatter 175. Although newspapers played a part in giving the public information, it was not as successful as TV. A description is not as powerful versus witnessing an event happening.  

"Little Rock was the first case where people really got their impression of an event from televison" states CBS news correspondent Robert Schakne. In 1957 the governor of Arkansas attempted to prevent nine black students from entering Central High School in Little Rock, which was strictly a white public school. Elizabeth Eckford being one of them. Unaware that the black students were to be escorted to school in police cars, Elizabeth arrived alone. She was greeted by angry White students who abused her and yelled racial comments at her. All captured on camera for all America to witness. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered U.S. Army troops to accompany the students to school for protection.