What does the term "McCarthyism" mean?

accusations of dlsloyalty, subversiveness, or treason without evidence

anti-communism

witch-hunts

congressional committee investigations

acts of sedition

The term McCarthyism refers to " witch-hunts," - - specifically witch hunts that intended to "out" and persecute communists in the United States during the Cold War, since McCarthy was an avid anti-Communist who instilled a great deal of paranoia into American society.