
McCarthyism: Anatomy of an Investigation
Clip: Season 32 Episode 1 | 5m 50s
McCarthy declared to Congress that scholar Owen Lattimore was a "top Russian spy."
In 1950 Senator Joseph McCarthy declared to Congress that Far East scholar Owen Lattimore was a "top Russian spy." Lattimore tried to clear his name before two congressional committees. He was eventually exonerated but those hearings took a lasting economic and personal toll on the scholar. Here's how they worked.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

McCarthyism: Anatomy of an Investigation
Clip: Season 32 Episode 1 | 5m 50s
In 1950 Senator Joseph McCarthy declared to Congress that Far East scholar Owen Lattimore was a "top Russian spy." Lattimore tried to clear his name before two congressional committees. He was eventually exonerated but those hearings took a lasting economic and personal toll on the scholar. Here's how they worked.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch American Experience
American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now

When is a photo an act of resistance?
For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipJoseph McCarthy: Senator of Anti-Communism
The McCarthy hearings are now emblematic of the 1950s "Red Scare." (1m 6s)
Author Langston Hughes was called before Sen. McCarthy’s Subcommittee on Investigations. (4m 39s)
Senator Margaret Chase Smith was the first senator to stand up to Joseph McCarthy. (1m 17s)
Roy Cohn: Chief Counsel for McCarthy
Senator Joseph McCarthy hired Roy Cohn in 1953 as Chief Counsel. (1m 5s)
Teaser | McCarthy | American Experience
The rise and fall of Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who led a Cold War crusade against Communists. (1m 48s)
Trailer | McCarthy | American Experience
the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, who led a Cold War crusade against Communists. (30s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.