Introduction to The Crucible by Emiliano Landeros

McCarthyism

99053875 — 2023-11-05 18:58:17 UTC

Started by John McCarthy, McCarthyism is a campaign that created a series of investigations against alleged communists. The investigations were launched against government officials, Hollywood Producers, and academics People who were accused were blacklisted and could no longer get jobs. In this anti-communism poster, it tells the reader why they should drive out communists. The poster also tells you how the Russians could destroy your country.

Puritianism

99053875 — 2023-11-06 02:34:17 UTC

Puritanism is a Calvinist movement that began between the 16th and 17th centuries. What Puritans want is for society to follow a strict discipline as a correct form of Christian life. Later, the Puritans arrived to America in the Massachusetts colony. The reason why it is important to understand what Puritanism is because those beliefs lead to mass paranoia about witches.

The Salem Witch Trials

99053875 — 2023-11-06 02:36:47 UTC

The Salem Witch trials were a series of prosecutions against people who were believed of practicing witchcraft. The trials started in 1692 when a group of young girls claiming to be possessed, went after many local women, accusing them of witchcraft. The events quickly lead to mass panic, and spread across Massachusetts . Because of this, a special court was created for these cases. 30 people were found guilty, and 19 were hanged.

Mass Hysteria in the Crucible

99053875 — 2023-11-06 04:39:45 UTC

Hysteria is when an emotionally driven behavior seems disproportionately responsive. Hysteria was a common medical diagnosis for women back then, and is no longer an actual medical term after the 1980's. Symptoms of the outdated disease includes emotional outbursts, hallucinations, histrionic behavior, and loss of sensation. The hysteria that plagued Salem was caused by a nine year old would have "supernatural" fits, in which they would behave in a very unique way. The reason why it is important to understand what hysteria is because it was the effect of religious extremism that surrounded the town.

Joseph McCarthy

99053875 — 2023-11-06 05:03:27 UTC

Joseph McCarthy, was an American politician who was responsible for McCarthyism. He became a large force surrounding U.S. politics because of his claims that the government was ran by communists. McCarthy capitalized on the fears of the red scare by instigating a nationwide anti-communist movement. In the crucible, Arthur Miller makes an indirect criticism of McCarthyism, because he sees the movement almost the exact same way as of what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Later McCarthy took notice of the play and questioned Miller if he knew any communists. He refused to name any, and was found guilty, and blacklisted.