The Soviet Union refused to acknowledge him as secretary general in his second term , and after having been accused by Joseph McCarthy of hiring `` disloyal '' Americans ( an allegation which he attributed to the rapid hiring of civil servants necessary after the creation of the organization ) , Lie resigned on November 10 , 1952 . The Soviet Union subsequently refused to acknowledge Lie as Secretary General and , having been accused by Joseph McCarthy of hiring `` disloyal '' Americans - an allegation that he attributed to the pressing need for civil servants following the establishment of the UN - Lie resigned on November 10 , 1952 .