What term is used to describe the tactics used by McCarthy to accuse government officials of being communists?

The term "McCarthyism" specifically refers to the practices, tactics, and atmosphere created by Senator Joseph McCarthy during the early 1950s, particularly his aggressive campaigning against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other institutions. This term encapsulates the fear-driven anti-communist sentiment and the notorious witch hunts led by McCarthy and his associates. McCarthyism not only involved unfounded accusations of communist sympathies but also included a broader culture of fear, wherein individuals could lose their positions, reputations, and livelihoods based on little more than suspicion or hearsay.

While "red baiting" could describe the act of accusing someone of being a communist, McCarthyism carries a more specific connotation of the tactics used during that historical period, including the intense scrutiny, fear-mongering, and disregard for civil liberties that characterized McCarthy's campaign. It reflects the societal impact of those actions, resulting in a climate of fear and repression that affected many facets of American life during the Cold War. This makes "McCarthyism" the most appropriate term for the context of the question.