The Witch-hunts of
McCarthyism
WITCH HUNT
• a political campaign launched on the
pretext of investigating activities
subversive to the state
• persecution of innocent people, based on
race, gender, religious belief, political
belief, etc.
• (American Heritage Dictionary)
Background on McCarthyism
• Who is it named after?
•Senator Joseph McCarthy
•Republican from
Wisconsin
•Made a public speech on
TV telling all Communistlinked individuals to be on
the lookout
Causes of McCarthyism
• The Cold War: USA versus Russia
• Anti-Communist Sentiment
period of intense anti-Communist suspicion in the
United States that lasted roughly from the late
1940s to the late 1950s
• Communist Control Act of 1954
signed into law by Dwight Eisenhower, which outlawed
the Communist Party of the United States and
criminalized membership in, or support for, the Party.
Consequences of Witch hunt
• National Hysteria and Individual Loss: Thousands
of Americans affected
•accused of being Communists or communist
sympathizers
•became the subject of aggressive investigations and
questioning before government or private-industry
panels, committees and agencies
• The primary targets of such suspicions were
government employees, those in the entertainment
industry, educators and union activists.
•Many people suffered loss of employment, destruction
of their careers, and even imprisonment.
Consequences of McCarthyism
Hollywood Blacklist
• 1947: the committee held nine days of hearings into
alleged Communist propaganda in the Hollywood
motion picture industry.
• After refusing to answer Congress, the "Hollywood
Ten" were blacklisted by the industry.
• More than 300 artists—including directors, radio
commentators, actors and particularly
screenwriters—were boycotted by the studios.
• Only about ten percent succeeded in rebuilding
careers within the entertainment industry.
Consequnces of McCarthyism
• Media sensationalized the hunt for
Communists
Why McCarthyism?
• That he argued
against freedom of
speech
• ideas of Communism
was a dangerous and
un-American thing
• Ruining reputations
• No credible evidence
• Against him = For
communism
• Used accusations of
Communism
Comparison to Salem Witch
Hunts: Look familiar?
• House of Un-American
Activities Committee,
1938-1975
• Salem Witch Trials, 1692
• How is McCarthyism
connected to The
Crucible by Arthur
Miller?
• Metaphor
• Government’s power
• Arguing innocence
• Miller wrote the play
in 1952
• Miller accused in
1956
Comparison to Salem Witch Hunts:
The Accused Heroes
• Arthur Miller, accused of
Communist Ties
John Proctor, accused of
Witchcraft and Lechery
Venn Diagram
McCarthyism
Salem Witch
Trials
Similar
Characteristics
Possible way(s) for this
society to have avoided
McCarthyism
• Government should protect citizens
from wrongful accusation
• National security should not be
prioritized over civil liberties
• The public should speak up against
government abuse
Research Paper
• Research and compare the Salem Witch
Trials, McCarthyism, and another historical
witch hunt in a 10-15 page typed essay.
• You must use at least 5 sources, one of
which must be The Crucible.
• Include a title and works cited page in
appropriate MLA documentation.
Due Dates
• Complete typed rough draft: June 4th
• Final typed draft: June 11th
• Be aware that we will be reading and
discussing two plays, so be sure to pace
your writing.