It all began with the Puritans! The year: 1630

Although similar to the Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends), the Puritans had differences with the Quakers, who came to America some years later (1656). What were those similarities and differences? Religion Place in the world Co-existing with other people and cultures View on violence Community

Famous Quakers The state of Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn as a safe haven for Quakers in 1682 Susan B. Anthony was a Quaker in the 1800’s who fought against slavery-not surprisingly.

How did the Quakers ultimately affect Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ben Franklin and the Constitution of the USA? .

Witch Hunts: WHY???? Lack of Utopian society: Death Disease Famine Hardship Looking to blame something or someone when it is not going well

Witch hunts have occurred all over the world Witch hunts have occurred all over the world. Let’s look at Europe around the same time. Recent studies show that anywhere from 30,000 to several million men and women may have lost their lives as a result of European witch hunts. An entire “witch hunt” profession developed and famous “witch finders” discovered hundreds of suspects. These went well into the 18th century. Records also show that “witches” were burned in Switzerland as late as 1782 and Poland in 1793.

The Witch: I'm not a witch I'm not a witch The Witch: I'm not a witch I'm not a witch! Sir Bedevere: But you are dressed as one The Witch: *They* dressed me up like this! Crowd: We didn't! We didn't... The Witch: And this isn't my nose. It's a false one. Sir Bedevere: [lifts up her false nose] Well? Peasant 1: Well, we did do the nose. Sir Bedevere: The nose? Peasant 1: And the hat, but she is a witch! Crowd: Yeah! Burn her! Burn her! Sir Bedevere: Did you dress her up like this? Peasant 1: No! Peasant 3, Peasant 2: No! Peasant 3: No! Peasant 1: No! Peasant 3, Peasant 2: No! Peasant 1: Yes! Peasant 2: Yes! Peasant 1: Yeah a bit. Peasant 3: A bit! Peasant 1, Peasant 2: A bit! Peasant 2: a bit Peasant 1: But she has got a wart! Random Person in the crowd: *cough* *cough*

Now it is Spring,1692 in Salem Massachusetts John Hale’s book about “witchcraft”. He is an instrumental character who will appear in the text of “The Crucible”. The people and events you will read about in the text are based upon real people.

These are memorial headstones for other real characters who were convicted and put to death in Salem. In this tiny town alone, 19 people were put to death in a matter of weeks.

Fast forward to the “Cold War” 1939-1979 Term “Cold War” perhaps first introduced by George Orwell (author of 1984 and Animal Farm) Began in World War II and escalated after the war. Used to refer to the tensions between the Soviet Union and its neighbors.

How the Cold War brought us to McCarthyism and “The Crucible” Harry Truman, in 1947 set a precedent for the U.S. to aid regimes, no matter how repressive and corrupt, that help to fight communists. This brought about the National Security Act of 1947 which inspired a unified Department of Defense, the CIA, and the National Security Council.

Senator Joseph McCarthy (Wisconsin) Emerged as an advocate for a hard-line stance on the Cold War-ridding the U.S. of any Communist activity based on Truman’s position in 1947. Worked with an organization called HCUAA (House Committee on Un-American Activities). The FBI also worked with this organization.

Hollywood and McCarthyism Many writers, directors and actors Were “blacklisted” by McCarthy and the HCUAA. Charlie Chaplin: Actor Leonard Bernstein: Composer Langston Hughes: Author/Poet Edward G. Robinson: Actor Arthur Miller: Playwright/Author of “The Crucible”

Arthur Miller Born in Manhattan, New York, in 1915 Wrote, among other plays, “Death of a Salesman” in 1949, and received a Pulitzer prize for drama. Wrote “The Crucible” when McCarthyism was at its peak. Denied a passport to visit Europe in 1954 by the State Department because of his liberal political views. In 1956, he was called before the HCUAA, but refuses to implicate individuals seen at alleged Communist meetings, which he attended ten years before. (He also married Marilyn Monroe this same year whom he divorced in 1961). Found in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify against others in 1957, but it was reversed by the Court of Appeals in 1957. Died in 2005.

ALLEGORY Many say that the writing of “The Crucible”, set in the 1600’s is allegory to the “witch trials” that took place in the 1950’s. What is an allegory? Can you come up with other examples? What does “literal” mean?

COURAGE What does this word mean to you, and write out an example in your journal. This can be an example from your own experience, another person’s experience, or a highly publicized example. Why is your example one of “courage”?