The Crucible Background I.Approximately 1-9 million Europeans were accused of being witches and then executed in the 16 th and 17 th centuries. A.In reality, these people were primarily practicing pre-Christian folk customs. B.Witch hunts were often politically motivated

Witch Hunts in Europe…

I.Approximately 1-9 million Europeans were accused of being witches and then executed in the 16 th and 17 th centuries. A.In reality, these people were primarily practicing pre-Christian folk customs. B.Witch hunts were often politically motivated II.In 1692, the British colony of Massachusetts was swept by a witchcraft hysteria A.At least 150 people were accused and jailed B.Twenty people were executed C.In Salem Village many blamed witchcraft when the minister’s daughter and several girls had seizures and lapses into unconsciousness. 1.Some historians believe social and economic animosity caused the accusations. 2.Most historians feel that mass hysteria was also a strong contributing factor

III.When The Crucible was published, Arthur Miller made it clear that the characters in the play were not historically accurate. A.The Crucible is an example of historical fiction B.However, the play shows the nature of the SWT and there is no one in the drama who didn’t play a similar (or identical) role in history. # # # Sources: The American Experience p