The Comaparison Of:
"The Cruicible " And "McCarthyism"
"McCarthyism"
- the practice of making accusations of disloyalty
- accusations against opponents
- no evidence to support charges
- coined to criticize the anti-communist, U.S Senator Joseph McCarthy
- in the 1950's
- fear of communism
- Joseph McCarthy was the leader
- led to national witch hunt for communists
- anyone could be accused
- people were accused by their association
- reputations of the accused were diminished
"The Crucible"
- The Crucible-published 1953--written by the American Arthur Miller.
- Based upon the Salem Witch Trail that was around the years of 1692 and 1693.
- The Crucible symbolizes "McCarthyism"
- people were being disloyal to their religion
based on Salem Witch Trials
characters being accused of witchcraft and other devilish acts
in the drama, Goody Putnam creates mass hysteria
Putnam creates mob mentality too
"McCarthyism & "The Crucible" Relations
In the 1940s and 1950s Americans feared the encroachment of Communism. The Soviet Union was growing in power and the threat of a nuclear holocaust was on the forefront of American minds. Eastern Europe had become a conglomerate of Communist satellite nations. Throw in China and Americans began to feel they were surrounded by a Communist threat. Paranoia ensued. Salem established itself as a religious community in the midst of evil. Salemites considered the forest the domain of the devil. Salem was surrounded by forest. Paranoia ensued.Joseph McCarthy, U.S. Senator, made unsubstantiated claims that more than 200 "card carrying" members of the Communist party had infiltrated the United States government. He had no proof.Delusional girls make unsubstantiated claims about the existence of witches in Salem. McCarthy's unsubstantiated claims ruined lives and led to increased hostility. Basically neither group had any evidence, they both were making false accusations.