Background to The Crucible

1. Background to The Crucible

2. Salem Witch Trials The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before local magistrates followed by county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned, with even more accused not formally pursued by the authorities. Fourteen women and five men were hanged. One man who refused to enter a plea was crushed to death under heavy stones in an attempt to force him to do so. At least five more died in prison. Despite being generally known as the "Salem" witch trials, the hearings in were conducted in a variety of towns across Massachusetts. The best-known were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town. All twenty-six who went to trial before this court were convicted. The four sessions of the Superior Court of Judicature in 1693, held in Salem, Ipswich, Boston, and Charlestown, produced only three convictions in the thirty-one witchcraft trials it conducted. By Cassandra and Alyce. Source: Wikipedia.

3. McCarthyism McCarthyism is a term describing the intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States. Communism is a socio-economic structure whereby the community works as a single entity for political ideologies. Who created McCarthyism? Originally created to criticize the actions of the U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, then changed to a general meaning (eg used against those opposing the US introduction of universal health care, considered a ‘socialist’ idea by some Republicans). When/where did it occur? Between the 1940’s and 1950’s in the USA. Who did it involve? The entity of the United States of America and all those accused of being communist or communist sympathizers who were subject to aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. Why did it happen? To condemn the nascent communist movement in the US. By Richard and Joseph. Source: Wikipedia.

4. Joseph McCarthy Joseph McCarthy was a US senator from 1947-1957. The term ‘McCarthyism’ was named after him, one that refers to his hysterical, politically-motivated smear campaign, fueled by Cold War fears of communism, but based largely on unsubstantiated rumours and accusations. Miller himself and actor Charlie Chaplin were two high profile members of the ‘accused’. He even levelled accusations at other US politicians. McCarthy died in 1957 of acute hepatitis thought to be a result of alcoholism. The likely inspiration for the character Danforth (the Deputy-Governor) from The Crucible. By Rhiana, Carli and Armielyn. Source: Wikipedia.

5. Puritans Who were the Puritans and when and where did they live? A Protestant sect who broke away from the Church of England and other reforming churches. They became prominent from the 16th to 17th centuries. Eventually repressions of Puritans in England saw many leave and settle into wholly Puritan communities in “New England”. What did they believe in? “Purity" of worship, doctrine, and personal and group morality. According to Puritan belief, God has supreme authority over human affairs, as expressed in the Bible. Other notable beliefs include: an emphasis on private study of the Bible; the priesthood of all believers; simplicity in worship, avoidance of traditional holidays; and church observance on the Sabbath. Why did they come about? A movement developed within the Church of England based on the belief that the church had not reformed enough. They sought a ‘purer’ doctrine of faith and morality. A strange irony: in order to uphold their own religious freedom from mainstream churches, the Puritans were prepared to sacrifice personal freedoms even to the extent of risking rebellion. By Francesca and Teresa. Source: Wikipedia.

6. Communism What’s communism? An economic and political system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labour for the common advantage of all members. Whose ideas were communism based on? • Karl Marx. He wrote ‘The Communist Manifesto’ in 1848. In the book he criticised early capitalism and saw communism as a system which ensured a fairer distribution of capital and wealth. When did communism begin? 1917, in Russia. Why did it begin? Communism largely succeeded in countries where oppressive regimes generated sufficient popular opposition. This was true of the tsarist regime in Russia and the Nationalist regime in China. In western-oriented countries communism lacked the impetus to threaten the systems in place, as these tended to provide sufficient wealth creation for the masses. Where does communism still exist in the world? North Korea, China and Cuba. Ironically, China has embraced capitalism since the late 1970’s. By Chloe and Cailyn. Source: Wikipedia.

7. The Cold War What was the cold war? Essentially a clash of ideals more than a war. Communist Soviet Union and the capitalist United States sought to extend their influence throughout the world, politically and economically. Each engaged in an arms race and staged ‘proxy wars’ in various other countries to try and upstage the ‘opponent’. The USA effectively won the cold war when the unsustainability of the central economy of the Soviet Union saw it renounce communism and soon thereafter allow multiparty elections and a free market economy take shape. Who was involved in the cold war? Primarily between the USA and the USSR and their allies. Whendid it happen? Started in 1945 and all but ended in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. Wheredid it take place? If not militarily, politically across all the major continents of the world Why did it take place? American fear of communist attack; Russia’s fear of the American's atom bomb; Russia’s dislike of capitalism; Russia’s actions in the Soviet zone of Germany; Russia’s aim to spread communism By Anthony B and Michael

8. Samuel Parris It is said just before a woman was hanged, she yelled, "You will drink blood!" When Parris died, he choked on his blood after a haemmorage. Who was Parris? A paranoid Salem minister who instigated the witch trials. What role did he play during the witch trials era? His daughter, Betty Parris, and her cousin Abigail Williams, accused the family's slave Tituba of witchcraft. In February 1692, Betty Parris began having "fits" that the doctor could not explain. Parris beat Tituba and compelled her to confess that she was a witch. The ensuing hysteria lasted 16 months, concluding with the Salem witch trials, which Parris did nothing to circumvent. Where did he first live before moving to Salem? Born in London but he then immigrated to Boston to study at Harvard. After his father died he took up an inheritance in Barbados. He then moved to Salem hoping to live there for the rest of his life. When did he first start being a minister? In July 1689 he started preaching. Why did he migrate during his youth? It was believed that he migrated due to him having insecurity for his well being. He had many enemies and was fearful of having more powerful enemies. Therefore he moved a lot to start a new life. By Anthony N and Scott. Source: Wikipedia.

9. Arthur Miller When was Arthur Asher Miller born and when did he die? Born in Manhattan, New York on the 17/10/1915 and died on the 10/2/2005. What did he do for a crust? He involved in literature and cinema for more then 61 years. Who was he betrothed to? Mr Miller had 3 marriages and one of whom was Marilyn Monroe. On August 5, 1940, he married his college sweetheart, Mary Slattery, the Catholic daughter of an insurance salesman, which influenced the play Death of a Salesman. The couple had two children, Jane and Robert. What did were his other career highlights/lowlights? His marriage to Marilyn Monroe influenced his writing of an acclaimed play entitled The Misfits. He was, among other things, producer of the 1996 movie version of The Crucible. Why did he write The Crucible? He was fascinated with the way authority is manipulated by superstition to horrific effect. In his own time he was affronted by McCarthyism and saddened by its precedent of some 260 years earlier – the Salem Witch Trials. By Matthew, Brendan and Emelise. Source: Wikipedia.