Background of The Crucible Puritanism Salem Witch Trials McCarthyism

Defining Puritans The term “Puritan” began as an insult from traditional Anglicans The term “Puritan” began as an insult from traditional Anglicans –“separating” Puritans believed the Church of England was corrupt & true Christians must separate themselves from it –“non-separating” believed in reform, but not separation (most Massachusetts colonists)

Puritan Beliefs Predestination Predestination –God chose who would receive salvation –Nothing you could do – not belief & not works Vs. Belief Vs. Belief –Gift of God’s grace without works through belief in Christ Vs. Works based election Vs. Works based election –You achieve salvation based on good works

So, why focus on behavior? If they believed God had already chosen the elect, why be so devout? If they believed God had already chosen the elect, why be so devout? –They wanted to honor God through their behavior –They believed in sanctification (holy behavior that supposedly resulted when an individual had been saved) –It also became a pride issue – like the Pharisees in the Bible – just for others to see

Puritan Beliefs Against law to not attend church Against law to not attend church Men & Women on opposite sides Men & Women on opposite sides All sins should be punished (sleeping in church, stealing food, etc.) All sins should be punished (sleeping in church, stealing food, etc.) Misfortune meant God was punishing and would not help b/c it was God’s will Misfortune meant God was punishing and would not help b/c it was God’s will Fear of witchcraft and magic was common in Europe for centuries Fear of witchcraft and magic was common in Europe for centuries

Puritan Children Same rules as adults Same rules as adults –Chores, repress differences, repress emotions Disobedience strictly punished Disobedience strictly punished Rarely played – toys & games scarce b/t Puritans saw as sinful distractions Rarely played – toys & games scarce b/t Puritans saw as sinful distractions Boys could be apprentices & work outside home Boys could be apprentices & work outside home Girls tended to home – sew, wash, clean Girls tended to home – sew, wash, clean

Puritan Children Most children could read, but most homes had only the Bible and other religious books that described witchcraft in detail Most children could read, but most homes had only the Bible and other religious books that described witchcraft in detail Books for children included warnings against bad behavior and described punishments for sinful acts Books for children included warnings against bad behavior and described punishments for sinful acts

Economic & Social Divisions

Salem Town vs. Salem Village Salem Town vs. Salem Village Salem Town Salem Town –Wealthy merchants –Prosperous port town Salem Village Salem Village –Poor farmers –Made living off of cultivating crops

Economic & Social Divisions Salem Village tried to gain independence from Salem Town Salem Village tried to gain independence from Salem Town Town depended on farmers in Village for food & taxes Town depended on farmers in Village for food & taxes Farmers in Village believed prosperity of the town threatened Puritan values Farmers in Village believed prosperity of the town threatened Puritan values Village selected Rev. Parris – denounced worldly ways of economic prosperity Village selected Rev. Parris – denounced worldly ways of economic prosperity Parris supported witch trials Parris supported witch trials

Causes for Hysteria Outbreak Belief in tie between witchcraft & natural events that matched “events” of the devil Belief in tie between witchcraft & natural events that matched “events” of the devil –Smallpox, strife b/t Salem Town & Salem Village, fighting with Indians “symptoms” evident (most can be feigned) “symptoms” evident (most can be feigned) Tituba’s influence – her Barbados spells & songs Tituba’s influence – her Barbados spells & songs Boredom of the girls Boredom of the girls Feuds between people Feuds between people –Within congregation over beliefs –Property disputes –Village vs. Town

McCarthyism During the 1940s & 1950s, Americans were concerned about communism spreading in Europe & China. During the 1940s & 1950s, Americans were concerned about communism spreading in Europe & China. While Arthur Miller was writing The Crucible, Senator Joseph McCarthy was trying to expose Americans suspected of being communists— most of whom had no direct connection to the communist Party. While Arthur Miller was writing The Crucible, Senator Joseph McCarthy was trying to expose Americans suspected of being communists— most of whom had no direct connection to the communist Party. Senator Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation there were more than 200 card- carrying communists in the US government. Senator Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation there were more than 200 card- carrying communists in the US government.

McCarthyism Paranoid hunt for infiltrators Paranoid hunt for infiltrators Difficult on writers & entertainers – many had to stop working Difficult on writers & entertainers – many had to stop working Some passports taken away Some passports taken away Some jailed for refusing to give names Some jailed for refusing to give names Hundreds imprisoned, 10,000-12,000 lost their jobs Hundreds imprisoned, 10,000-12,000 lost their jobs

Bibliography Campbell, Donna M. "Puritanism in New England." Literary Movements. July 14, September 26, Linder, Douglass. “Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692.” Famous American Trials. March September 26, “Salem Witch Trials: The World Behind the Hysteria.” Discovery Education September 26,

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