The Salem Witch Trials

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The Salem Witch Trials
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by Arthur Miller
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About Arthur Miller(relevant author background)

• Born and raised in NYC in 1915--- Depression and
  major financial losses caused family to have to
  relocate from Manhattan to Brooklyn
• High school dropout
• Convinced U of Michigan to accept him w/o a
  diploma where he honed writing skills

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Most of Millers plays focus on the dilemma of
common people pitted against powerful and
unyielding social forces
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Famous works

• All My Sons
• Actions in WWII bring about end of mans family
• Death of a Salesman
• Excessive focus on material success
• The Crucible
• Inspired by hysteria created by political climate
  of McCarthyism (communist infiltration of US
  institutions)
• The Misfits
• Screenplay featured Marilyn MonroeHIS WIFE

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Historical Context(connections to history)

• Puritans of 1600s
• Salem Witchcraft
• Trials

• America in 1950s
• McCarthyism

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Puritanism Theocracy

• No separation between the church and state.
• Religion is the LAW
• Those who violate religious rules are persecuted
  and could be prosecuted

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The McCarthy Era

• Began in 1950 out of growing fears that Communism
  was spreading
• Senator Joseph McCarthy charged that the State
  Department had been infiltrated by more than 200
  communists
• Created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion
  throughout the ENTIRE U.S.

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Wheres the evidence?

• Even though there was no evidence of his
  accusations found, McCarthy refused to retract
  his statements
• Instead he went on radio and TV to further his
  claims that some governmental officials were
  engaged in subversive activities
• Heres the catchhe was a Republican Democrats
  controlled the Senate in 1950

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HUACHouse Un-American Activities Committee

• In 1952, Rep. gain control of Senate and appoint
  McCarthy chairman of a permanent investigation
  committee
• Interrogated people publicly, revealing their
  private lives
• Committee demanded to know the names of those
  involved in communist activities or even those
  who agreed remotely with communist ideas

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• No concrete evidence was ever found but the
  ramifications were horrible.
• Hollywood Ten (Blacklist)
• Click here to read article related to Hollywood
  Censorship
• Many government officials lost their jobs and the
  nation was in a near state of hysteria
• Link to Walt Disneys Testimony

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• Miller was called before the House Committee on
  Un-American Activities, and convicted of contempt
  of Congress for not cooperating

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Can you think of modern dayhysteria created by
some accusations that may havenot been true?

• Who was affected?
• How so?
• What were the results?
• Has there been lasting impact?

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As we read The Crucible

• Look for ways this story is like the McCarthy Era
• Think about the main theme Miller is trying to
  state
• Symbols in the text