McCarthyism and The Crucible

1. McCarthyism and The Crucible Connections – Research Paper

2. America vs. Russia • post-WWII – America and Russia uneasy • based on opposing ideologies • capitalism • communism • each rapidly expanding political influence through Europe and the developing countries

3. Capitalism • capitalism: • an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

4. Communism • communism: • a: a theory advocating elimination of private property • b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed • c: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production

5. The Cold War begins… • began in 1947 • both powers began to view each other as deadly enemies • Cold War • 1: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations • 2: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups

6. in America • anyone who had ever flirted with socialist or communist beliefs • seen as a traitor to the “American way of life” • socialism • any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

7. The Beginning • took its name from the McCarthy hearings in early 1950’s • actually began with publication of Attorney-General’s List in 1947 • published by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

8. Attorney-General’s List • contained names of people with ties to communist organizations • this list later expanded to become “The Black List” • thousands of people were forbidden to work in their professions • HUAC held hearings to investigate charges of “un-Americanism” • continued through McCarthy era • often times more damaging than the McCarthy hearings themselves

9. The 1950’s • Chinese Revolution had just been won • Russians had exploded their first atomic bomb • Korean War had just been won

10. Enter McCarthy • Senator Joseph McCarthy • famous with accusation that for 20 years, the democratic government had been nurturing the growth of communism in America • senate hearings were set up and the collective persecution of leftists began

11. Allies torn apart • during WWII, America and Russia had been allies • fought together against fascism • McCarthyism changed all of that

12. Anti-communism hysteria • under McCarthyism, anti-communism hysteria became so intense and so irrational, even moderate liberals referred to it as a… WITCH HUNT

13. McCarthy and HUAC Hearings • both followed a similar pattern • each “witness” took the stand • asked whether they had ever had any dealings with communists • refusing to answer = arrest • if he/she denied the charge, prove innocence • give names of those who did have communist connections

14. Hearings Cont’d. • if he/she confessed to having once attended a leftist meeting or supporting the leftist cause • show that he/she had reformed • naming others who had attended or contributed • these new people named were then called into the hearing as new witnesses

15. Hearings Cont’d • few witnesses had the courage to stand up to the McCarthy and HUAC committees • most willingly gave names • if they didn’t know any names, they repeated rumours or lied • “They lied not to save their lives, but to save their swimming pools”

16. The Arts in America • McCarthy hearings focused on the arts in America • 1950-1954 • several artists were imprisoned for refusing to testify • of these, “The Hollywood Ten” • thousands of writers, musicians, actors and directors • “blacklisted” • forbidden to work

17. Results • some left the country, changed professions, or changed names • some resumed their careers when the blacklist was lifted in the 1960’s • for most, the damage was permanent

18. The Beginning of the End • McCarthy’s power collapsed under its own weight • government and arts purged over and over • old lists became tired and worn • accusations became wilder and wilder • American army had become disloyal • powerful generals were traitors • public became skeptical of the charges

19. Enter Arthur Miller… • public opposition increased • a number of well-known witnesses challenged the authority of the HUAC and the McCarthy hearings • including… ARTHUR MILLER

20. …and The Crucible • first performed in January 1953 • a slap in the face for McCarthy by a leading American playwright • McCarthyism called a witch hunt • parallels between the Salem court and the McCarthy and HUAC hearings were clearly drawn

21. The Relation • similarities between the Salem hearings and the McCarthy and HUAC hearings: • during the hearings due process of law was abandoned • hysteria spread through lies and rumors • witnesses forced into dishonest confessions • forced to falsely accuse their friends and neighbors

22. All who oppose… • McCarthy and HUAC • people opposed to hearings were accused of working for the “Red Devil” (communism) • Salem • people opposed to the trials were accused of working for the Devil himself • both in Washington and Salem: MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE SUFFERED

23. The Crucible and today’s society • Salem Witch Hunt and McCarthy era both history • The Crucible still has political meaning in our time • every age and society has its repressions (to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of) • trying to limit various freedoms • authority of the state vs. freedom of the individual

24. “The Crucible’s themes … are timeless. As long as governments continue to distort the truth, individuals with courage and integrity will continue to challenge them. The choice between freedom and repression is always with us” (“McCarthyism and The Crucible 14) (MLA) OR… (Coles Editorial Board, 1998) (APA)

25. Bibliography Information APA Coles Editorial Board, (Ed.). (1998). McCarthyism and The Crucible. In Coles Notes: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (pp. 12-14). Toronto: Coles Publishing Company MLA “McCarthyism and the The Crucible”. Coles Notes: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Ed. Coles Editorial Board. Toronto: Coles Publishing Company, 1998. 12-14.