Where did the term McCarthyism come from?

The term "McCarthyism" originated from U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, who gained prominence in the early 1950s for his aggressive campaign against alleged communists in the government and other sectors. His methods included making unsubstantiated accusations and fostering a climate of fear and suspicion, which led to widespread paranoia about communist infiltration. The term has since come to symbolize the practice of making reckless accusations without proper evidence, particularly in the context of political repression.