What was a significant factor leading to Joseph McCarthy's decline in public support?

The Army-McCarthy hearings were a pivotal moment that marked the decline of Joseph McCarthy's public support. These hearings took place in 1954 and were meant to investigate allegations of Communist influence within the U.S. Army. During the televised hearings, McCarthy and his tactics were scrutinized publicly for the first time. His aggressive and often unfounded accusations began to backfire as the American public witnessed his bullying demeanor and questionable methods of interrogation.

Key to his decline was the perceived overreach of his anti-Communist crusade, particularly when it appeared that he was more interested in discrediting his opponents than in addressing actual security concerns. People began to lose faith in his integrity and the legitimacy of his claims. The public's disillusionment grew as they saw McCarthy attack decorated military officials without substantial evidence, leading to a backlash against his tactics and a waning of the fervor that had previously supported his anti-Communist campaign. Ultimately, the hearings shone a light on the excesses of McCarthyism, contributing significantly to the erosion of his credibility and influence.