McCarthyism: History in Literature? Arthur Miller’s Reasons for Writing The Crucible

What was McCarthyism? a movement leaders such as Senator Joseph McCarthy started in the late 1940s- 1950s; also known as “The Second Red Scare” a movement leaders such as Senator Joseph McCarthy started in the late 1940s- 1950s; also known as “The Second Red Scare”

Huh? During this time, Sen. McCarthy – and others – created a “blacklist” of those people believed to be Communists; these people, including celebrities, often lost money, their jobs, and their freedoms because of these false accusations During this time, Sen. McCarthy – and others – created a “blacklist” of those people believed to be Communists; these people, including celebrities, often lost money, their jobs, and their freedoms because of these false accusations

So what’s wrong with being Communist? Seriously, at that time we really hated Russia. We were in the middle of the Cold War, which was not a war in the traditional sense, but more of a competition between the U.S. and what was then the U.S.S.R. – from the 1940s until the early 1990s. (For the most part, it was an “arms race,” meaning the countries were trying to outdo each other in both production and quality of weapons.) Seriously, at that time we really hated Russia. We were in the middle of the Cold War, which was not a war in the traditional sense, but more of a competition between the U.S. and what was then the U.S.S.R. – from the 1940s until the early 1990s. (For the most part, it was an “arms race,” meaning the countries were trying to outdo each other in both production and quality of weapons.)

Who was affected by McCarthyism or ”The Second Red Scare”? T his movement could affect anyone, but it seemed concentrated especially on entertainers such as actors, screenwriters, singers, playwrights, musicians, and authors. T his movement could affect anyone, but it seemed concentrated especially on entertainers such as actors, screenwriters, singers, playwrights, musicians, and authors. Who was responsible? – Joseph McCarthy and his House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Who was responsible? – Joseph McCarthy and his House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

The HUAC was a group formed specifically to investigate any cases of alleged Communism. This group investigated anyone who seemed “unusual” or “outside of the norm,” anyone who questioned society or who took risks. Another famous HUAC member was J. Edgar Hoover. The HUAC was a group formed specifically to investigate any cases of alleged Communism. This group investigated anyone who seemed “unusual” or “outside of the norm,” anyone who questioned society or who took risks. Another famous HUAC member was J. Edgar Hoover.

So what does all this have to do with English class? Arthur Miller wrote one of the most influential plays in American literature, The Crucible, which was written about The Salem Witch Trials of Arthur Miller wrote one of the most influential plays in American literature, The Crucible, which was written about The Salem Witch Trials of It was actually also a thinly disguised play about McCarthyism and how it felt to be scapegoated. It was actually also a thinly disguised play about McCarthyism and how it felt to be scapegoated.

Why did Miller care about that? First, Arthur Miller was claiming his own political statement about the 1950s. First, Arthur Miller was claiming his own political statement about the 1950s. Even more specifically, Miller was retaliating against the government for their actions against him personally. Yes, McCarthy and some of his friends had even accused Miller himself of being a Communist (gasp)! Even more specifically, Miller was retaliating against the government for their actions against him personally. Yes, McCarthy and some of his friends had even accused Miller himself of being a Communist (gasp)!

Miller Made His Mark: Miller was reacting to the people who accused him of Communism simply because of his play Death of a Salesman. Critics had accused him of being too morbid and referred to the character Wally as “simply a nut” (Miller, “AYNWYE?”). Miller was reacting to the people who accused him of Communism simply because of his play Death of a Salesman. Critics had accused him of being too morbid and referred to the character Wally as “simply a nut” (Miller, “AYNWYE?”). In fact, Columbia studios released another play and movie, Life of a Salesman, which portrayed the play “as it should be.” This infuriated Miller who considered it an insult about his artistry. In fact, Columbia studios released another play and movie, Life of a Salesman, which portrayed the play “as it should be.” This infuriated Miller who considered it an insult about his artistry.

The result was The Crucible, the Broadway play which became a huge success. It was later made into several different movie versions. The result was The Crucible, the Broadway play which became a huge success. It was later made into several different movie versions.

Other celebrities accused by McCarthy of having Communist ties Lucille Ball, actress Lucille Ball, actress

Charlie Chaplin, comedian and entertainer Charlie Chaplin, comedian and entertainer

Richard N. Wright, author Richard N. Wright, author

Lena Horne, singer/actress Lena Horne, singer/actress

Pete Seeger, Pete Seeger, folk singer folk singer

Langston Hughes, author Langston Hughes, author

Aaron Copland, composer Aaron Copland, composer

…and many more…. One group was called …and many more…. One group was called “The Hollywood Ten” “The Hollywood Ten”

Works Cited “AmSt.2010.” University of Colorado at Boulder U of C at B. 24 September “AmSt.2010.” University of Colorado at Boulder U of C at B. 24 September Buhle, Paul, and David Wagner. Hide in Plain Sight: The Hollywood Blacklistees in Film and Television, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, Miller, Arthur. “Are You Now or Were You Ever?” The Guardian/The Observer. 13 July September The Guardian/The Observer. 13 July September mccarthyism.html mccarthyism.html