The Salem Witch Trials, The Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, andMcCarthyism, and

The CrucibleThe Crucible

Background and Modern Background and Modern ImplicationsImplications

O Christian Martyr Who for Truth could dieO Christian Martyr Who for Truth could die When all about thee Owned the hideous lie!When all about thee Owned the hideous lie! The world, redeemed from superstition's sway,The world, redeemed from superstition's sway, Is breathing freer for thy sake today.Is breathing freer for thy sake today.

Words written by John Greenleaf Whittier and inscribed Words written by John Greenleaf Whittier and inscribed on a monument marking the grave of Rebecca Nurse, one on a monument marking the grave of Rebecca Nurse, one of the condemned "witches" of Salem.of the condemned "witches" of Salem.

Synopsis of the TrialsSynopsis of the Trials From June through September of 1692, From June through September of 1692,

nineteen men and women, all having been nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging.Village, for hanging.

Another man of over eighty years was pressed Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy stones for refusing to to death under heavy stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges. submit to a trial on witchcraft charges.

Synopsis of the TrialsSynopsis of the Trials

Hundreds of others faced accusations of Hundreds of others faced accusations of witchcraft. Dozens languished in jail for witchcraft. Dozens languished in jail for months without trials.  Then, almost as soon as months without trials.  Then, almost as soon as it had begun, the hysteria that swept through it had begun, the hysteria that swept through Puritan Massachusetts ended.Puritan Massachusetts ended.

Causes of the Witch HysteriaCauses of the Witch Hysteria Governmental InstabilityGovernmental Instability

The provincial government was The provincial government was in transition because of the in transition because of the removal of removal of Sir Edmund Andros,Sir Edmund Andros, (who was appointed by the king (who was appointed by the king to rule over the newly-created to rule over the newly-created Dominion of New England) due Dominion of New England) due to discontent with his methods to discontent with his methods and beliefs.and beliefs.

The government responded too The government responded too slowly to prevent the executions slowly to prevent the executions of twenty due to this hysteria.of twenty due to this hysteria.

Causes of the Witch HysteriaCauses of the Witch Hysteria

This incident displayed the This incident displayed the everyday tensionseveryday tensions that existed in the colonies at the time and that existed in the colonies at the time and reflected a growing reflected a growing fear of onefear of one’’s neighborss neighbors as as the trials built to a fever pitchthe trials built to a fever pitch

Causes of the Witch HysteriaCauses of the Witch Hysteria

Many other factors contributed to this hysteria:Many other factors contributed to this hysteria: Generational strifeGenerational strife Tensions between agriculturalTensions between agricultural Salem Village Salem Village and and

commercialcommercial Salem Town Salem Town Possibly an outbreak of Possibly an outbreak of food poisoningfood poisoning that may that may

have caused hallucinationshave caused hallucinations The Salem Witch trials were indicative of the The Salem Witch trials were indicative of the

times, which were marked by times, which were marked by war, economic and war, economic and political disruptionpolitical disruption, and , and erosion oferosion of the society the society’’s s utopian visionutopian vision

Arthur Miller and McCarthyismArthur Miller and McCarthyism The play, The play, The CrucibleThe Crucible, is an , is an allegoryallegory (in which a (in which a

narrative reveals a second meaning beneath the narrative reveals a second meaning beneath the surface) of the surface) of the McCarthy eraMcCarthy era, in which similar , in which similar ’’witch huntswitch hunts’’ occurred, occurred, targeting citizens as targeting citizens as communistscommunists rather than disciples of Satan. rather than disciples of Satan.

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthyWisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy, in, in February 1950, February 1950, made the public charge that 205 Communists had infiltrated made the public charge that 205 Communists had infiltrated the State department. the State department.

Upon subsequent testimony before the Senate Committee on Upon subsequent testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, McCarthy Foreign Relations, McCarthy proved unable to produceproved unable to produce the the name of any "card-carrying" communists, name of any "card-carrying" communists, but he gained but he gained increasing popular supportincreasing popular support for his campaign of accusations. for his campaign of accusations.

McCarthyismMcCarthyism Although McCarthy was later denounced, he Although McCarthy was later denounced, he

promoted unfounded accusations and promoted unfounded accusations and suspicions of communism in many quarters, suspicions of communism in many quarters, most prominently within the entertainment most prominently within the entertainment industryindustry through the House Un-American through the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).Activities Committee (HUAC).

HUAC investigated communism within HUAC investigated communism within Hollywood, calling a number of playwrights, Hollywood, calling a number of playwrights, directors and actors known for left-wing views directors and actors known for left-wing views to testify. to testify.

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Left Wing:Left Wing: Left wing beliefs Left wing beliefs are usually progressive in are usually progressive in

nature. They look to the future, aim to support nature. They look to the future, aim to support those who cannot support themselves, are idealist those who cannot support themselves, are idealist and believe in equality.and believe in equality.

People who are left wing believe in taxation to People who are left wing believe in taxation to redistribute opportunity and wealth - things like a redistribute opportunity and wealth - things like a national health service, and job seeker’s allowance national health service, and job seeker’s allowance are fundamentally left wing ideas.are fundamentally left wing ideas.

They believe in equality over the freedom to fail.They believe in equality over the freedom to fail.

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Although some testified for the committee to avoid Although some testified for the committee to avoid prison sentences, the prison sentences, the Hollywood Ten, a group of Hollywood Ten, a group of entertainers, refused to testify and were convicted entertainers, refused to testify and were convicted of contempt and sentenced to up to one year in of contempt and sentenced to up to one year in prisonprison. .

Arthur Miller and McCarthyismArthur Miller and McCarthyism

Over three hundred other Over three hundred other entertainers were placed entertainers were placed on a blacklist for possible on a blacklist for possible communist views and were communist views and were thus forbidden to work for thus forbidden to work for major Hollywood studios.major Hollywood studios.

Arthur Miller was one of Arthur Miller was one of these blacklisted. these blacklisted.

Arthur Miller and McCarthyismArthur Miller and McCarthyism

The blacklist prevented The blacklist prevented these men from receiving these men from receiving screen credit during this screen credit during this time, until actor Kirk time, until actor Kirk Douglas pushed for writer Douglas pushed for writer Dalton Trumbo to receive Dalton Trumbo to receive screen credit for his screen credit for his adaptation of adaptation of SpartacusSpartacus in in 1960, thus finally breaking 1960, thus finally breaking the blacklist.the blacklist.