McCarthyism: History in Literature? Come on, Mr. Johnson! Arthur Miller’s Reasons for Writing The Crucible

What is McCarthyism? a movement leaders, such as Senator Joseph McCarthy, started in the late 1940s-1950s; also known as “The Second Red Scare” a movement leaders, such as Senator Joseph McCarthy, started in the late 1940s-1950s; also known as “The Second Red Scare”

Huh? During this time, Sen. McCarthy – and others – created a “blacklist” of those people believed to be Communists; these people, including celebrities, often lost money, their jobs, and their freedoms because of these false accusations During this time, Sen. McCarthy – and others – created a “blacklist” of those people believed to be Communists; these people, including celebrities, often lost money, their jobs, and their freedoms because of these false accusations

…so why people be hatin’ on Communists? Basically, we had the same philosophy as Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin character in the SNL sketch: “I can see Russia from my house!” Seriously, though, we really hated Russia. We were in the middle of the Cold War, which was not a war in the traditional sense, but more of a competition between the U.S. and what was then the U.S.S.R. – from the 1940s until the early 1990s. (For the most part, it was an “arms race,” meaning the countries were trying to outdo each other in both production and quality of weapons.) Basically, we had the same philosophy as Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin character in the SNL sketch: “I can see Russia from my house!” Seriously, though, we really hated Russia. We were in the middle of the Cold War, which was not a war in the traditional sense, but more of a competition between the U.S. and what was then the U.S.S.R. – from the 1940s until the early 1990s. (For the most part, it was an “arms race,” meaning the countries were trying to outdo each other in both production and quality of weapons.)

So what people did McCarthyism/”The Second Red Scare” affect? This movement affected anyone, but especially entertainers such as actors, screenwriters, singers, playwrights, musicians, and authors. Who was responsible? – Joseph McCarthy and his House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). This movement affected anyone, but especially entertainers such as actors, screenwriters, singers, playwrights, musicians, and authors. Who was responsible? – Joseph McCarthy and his House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

HUAC The HUAC was a group formed specifically to investigate any cases of alleged Communism. This group investigated anyone who seemed “unusual” or “outside of the norm,” anyone who questioned society or who took risks. Another famous HUAC member was J. Edgar Hoover. The HUAC was a group formed specifically to investigate any cases of alleged Communism. This group investigated anyone who seemed “unusual” or “outside of the norm,” anyone who questioned society or who took risks. Another famous HUAC member was J. Edgar Hoover.

Mr. Johnson, we’re in English class…seriously?! Yes, seriously. This dude (Arthur Miller): Yes, seriously. This dude (Arthur Miller): wrote one of the most wrote one of the most influential plays in influential plays in American literature, American literature, The Crucible, which The Crucible, which was written about “The was written about “The Salem Witch Trials,” but it Salem Witch Trials,” but it was actually a thinly was actually a thinly disguised play about McCarthyism. disguised play about McCarthyism. You all have the privilege (yes, You all have the privilege (yes, privilege) of reading this play in my privilege) of reading this play in my class this year. class this year.

Why Miller Cared So Much: First, Arthur Miller was claiming his own political statement about the times. First, Arthur Miller was claiming his own political statement about the times. Even more importantly, Miller was retaliating against the government for their actions against him. Yes, McCarthy and his gang had even accused lil’ man Miller of being a COMMUNIST (gasp)! Even more importantly, Miller was retaliating against the government for their actions against him. Yes, McCarthy and his gang had even accused lil’ man Miller of being a COMMUNIST (gasp)!

Miller Made His Mark: See, our man Artie had a bone to pick with the guys who accused him of Communism simply because of his play Death of a Salesman. Critics accused him of being too morbid and referred to the character Willy as “simply a nut”. In fact, Columbia studios released another play and movie, Life of a Salesman, which portrayed the play “as it should be.” See, our man Artie had a bone to pick with the guys who accused him of Communism simply because of his play Death of a Salesman. Critics accused him of being too morbid and referred to the character Willy as “simply a nut”. In fact, Columbia studios released another play and movie, Life of a Salesman, which portrayed the play “as it should be.”

The result was The Crucible, the play later made into several different movie versions, which became a huge success. The result was The Crucible, the play later made into several different movie versions, which became a huge success.

Celebrities Accused of McCarthyism Lucille Ball, actress Lucille Ball, actress

Richard N. Wright, author Richard N. Wright, author

Charlie Chaplin, comedian and entertainer Charlie Chaplin, comedian and entertainer

Lena Horne, singer/actress Lena Horne, singer/actress

Pete Seeger, folk singer Pete Seeger, folk singer

Langston Hughes, author Langston Hughes, author

Aaron Copland, composer Aaron Copland, composer

…and many more…. …and many more…. “The Hollywood Ten:” “The Hollywood Ten:”

Works Cited “AmSt.2010.” University of Colorado at Boulder U of C at B. 24 September “AmSt.2010.” University of Colorado at Boulder U of C at B. 24 September Buhle, Paul, and David Wagner. Hide in Plain Sight: The Hollywood Blacklistees in Film and Television, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, Miller, Arthur. “Are You Now or Were You Ever?” The Guardian/The Observer. 13 July September The Guardian/The Observer. 13 July September 2008.