Brainstorm Think of instances in which you can recall organized attacks on individuals or specific groups of people. Write your thoughts in paragraph format. Turn to the people around you and share your thoughts. What motivates the victimizers in these circumstances?

The Crucible and the Salem Witch trials

Background… Written in 1953 by Arthur Miller Based on true events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1693 Accounts of the witch trials came from actual court documents Allegory for “McCarthyism” Allegory: A fictional literary work in which the characters and events represent or symbolize other (usually political) ideas or concepts

McCarthyism: Communism: A social movement that aims to create a classless social structure based on common ownership and production (i.e. everyone gets equal shares) After the Cold War in the 1940s and 1950s, Communism was spreading through eastern Europe and China There was growing fear that Communism would take hold in the United States

Activity I need ONE volunteer! 

McCarthyism Senator Joseph McCarthy announced in 1950 that Communists had infiltrated the Department of State and he had a list of known Communists working for the State Department.

McCarthyism McCarthy charged many government officials, members of the media, and other prominent figures with engaging in Communist activities. Writers, actors, and politicians were summoned before Sen. McCarthy to defend themselves against accusations of Communism. None of these accusations were ever proven, but they resulted in increased national fear of Communism and paranoia of secret Communist sympathizers.

Historical Parallels: In the winter of 1692, tensions were running high in Salem, Massachusetts, over land, industry, and religious and political leadership. In short, there were some people who wanted revenge against other people.

The Witch Hunt Starts… During the winter of 1692, several teenage girls in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts, were caught participating in acts that were thought to be unholy and were not allowed (fortune telling, dancing, etc.) On Jan. 20th, 1692, Elizabeth Parris, daughter of Rev. Samuel Parris, and Abigail Williams, his niece, began shaking uncontrollably, making strange sounds, and screaming that they were being tortured.

The Witch Hunt Starts… Doctors didn’t know what the cause was, so they concluded that it was witchcraft. The girls gave the names of several women who they claimed bewitched them into acting so strangely. They also said there had been more witches they could not recognize. These women were formally accused of being witches, and the hunt for more witches was on.

Results Over the course of the next eight months, more than 150 people were accused of being witches, and 20 were killed. One accuser, Ann Putnam, later admitted to lying. Another accuser, Mary Warren, alluded to the girls’ false actions during the trial.

Putting it all together… As a writer, Arthur Miller was concerned about the hunt for Communists in the United States in the 1950s. In 1952, he visited Salem and read the court papers that documented the witch trials, especially a description of the most vocal accuser, Abigail Williams, and John Proctor. Abigail worked for and lived with John and Elizabeth Proctor, until Elizabeth (John’s wife) suddenly fired Abigail. Abigail later accused Elizabeth of being a witch.