Miss Glass 1 February 2011
Puritan Life In America Sought religious freedom Separate from Church of England Theocracy: a union of church and state. Puritan Beliefs: Predestined for heaven Rigid rules and beliefs To be different meant to be controlled by evil Preached “fire and brimstone” threatening punishment in the hereafter
Salem, Massachusetts Northeast of Boston Established: 1626 Salem means “City of Peace” Roger Conant and John Endicott
1692 Salem History A Great Divide Salem Town: wealthy merchants; trade with London Salem Village: poor farmers wanted independence Salem Village divisions Merchants vs. Farmers Reverend Samuel Parris
A History of Witch Hunts Definition of “witch” in the 17 th Century One who had made a pact with the devil (the Christian embodiment of evil) by exchanging soul for evil powers Sin because denied God’s superiority 16 th and 17 th century Europe: 1-9 million accused and executed Practiced surviving folk customs from Pre- Christian times Viewed as “heresy”
A History of Witch Hunts 1484: Pope Innocent VIII, Germany Casting spells to destroy crops & abort infants : Reformation in Europe 50,000-80,000 suspected witches executed. 1536: Henry VIII of England Accused Anne Boleyn, of witchcraft 1591: James I of England Largest witch hunt in British history
Salem Witch Trials, 1692
Salem Witchcraft Trials, 1692 How did it all begin? Minister’s daughter and other girls were affected by seizures and fits of unconsciousness No medical explanation Tituba, Sarah Good, And Sarah Osburne named as witches Tituba admitted to witchcraft Girls continued to accuse No proof other than someone’s accusation was required Must admit to witchcraft, repent, and name associates In the end, 20 people executed and at least 150 jailed
Connect to Communism Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Investigated un-American & subversive activities Late 1940s-1950s known as the “Red Scare” Heightened fear of Communist influence on American institutions and espionage by Soviet agents Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin Claimed 200 Communists had infiltrated the US government
McCarthy Investigations McCarthy led investigations Mostly government employees, union members, writers, and entertainers 320 artists placed on blacklist, which ended their careers Hollywood Blacklist: “We will not knowingly employ a Communist or a member of any party or group which advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States” Must name other members of the party in order to prove abandoned left-wing views
McCarthy’s Downfall McCarthy began televised hearings into Communists in the US Army “McCarthy has shown himself to be evil and unmatched in malice.” … the Louisville Courier- Journal
McCarthy’s Downfall McCarthy’s actions condemned December 2, 1954 "The line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep into our own history and our doctrine and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy's methods to keep silent. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result." - Edwin Murrow “Red Scare” hysteria calmed down
Arthur Miller Born 1915 in NY 1932: Graduate from Lincoln HS Took two years to earn money for tuition 1934: Enroll at University of Michigan Began writing drama in college 1947: All My Sons opened on Broadway 1949: Won Pulitzer Prize for Death of a Salesman 1953: The Crucible 1956: Married Marilyn Monroe Marriage lasted 5 years
Repercussions of The Crucible After The Crucible, Miller was investigated for possible associations with the Communist Party 1956: Called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities Never joined Communist party but advocated social justice and equality Refused to discuss associates Found in contempt of Congress