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The Crucible

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

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The Crucible

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

  2. Witch Hunts in Europe…

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

  4. When The Crucible was published, Arthur Miller made it clear that the characters in the play were not historically accurate. • The Crucible is an example of historical fiction • 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. 1231 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjeqRHdBwkY

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