The correct answer is C. the blacklisting of suspected communists.
McCarthyism symbolizes Senator Joseph McCarthy's significant impact on America during the 1950's. His claims of knowing about communists in the State Department and Hollywood caused for an increased amount of paranoia in the US. Along with this, it resulted in hundreds of individuals going before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
This Congressional body called in individuals and questioned their ties to either communism or the Soviet Union. This resulted in people losing their jobs or being "blacklisted." This term means that these people would not be hired in their industry. This happened to ten Hollywood producers, directors, and actors. These individuals became known as the "Hollywood Ten."
