The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
Historical Context
Arthur Miller (1915-2005)

Known and respected for his intimate and
realistic portrayal of the working class, Arthur
Miller remains one of the most prolific
playwrights of his time. At the peak of his career
immediately following World War II, American
theater was transformed by his profound ability
to capture the heart of the common man and
make his audiences empathize with his plight as
he attempts to find his war in an often harsh
and unsympathetic world.
Arthur Miller
1915
 1938
 1949


1953

1956

1957

2005
Born in Harlem, New York City
Graduates from University of Michigan
Death of a Salesman opens on
Broadway directed by Elia Kazan.
Miller earns the Pulitzer Prize.
The Crucible opens on Broadway and
wins a Tony Award
Miller is called before the HUAC. Eight
days later he marries Marilyn Monroe
Miller is found guilty of contempt for
refusing to name names to HUAC. Two
months later his conviction is reversed.
Miller dies in Connecticut
Historical Context:

In 1950, Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible
as a parallel between the Salem Witch
Trials and the current events that were
spreading throughout the United States at
the time. A similar “witch hunt” was
happening in the United States—and this
time, the accused were those who were a
part of the Communist Party or who were
Communist sympathizers.
The Red Scare

Shortly after the end of
World War I, a “Red
Scare” took hold of the
nation. The “Reds”
(Communists)were seen
as a threat to the
democracy of the United
States. Fear, paranoia,
and hysteria gripped the
nation, and many
innocent people were
questioned and then
jailed for expressing any
view which was seen as
anti-Democratic or antiAmerican.
HUAC (1938 – 1975)
House Un-American Activities
Committee
Originally aimed at German-American
involvement in Nazi and Ku Klux Klan activity.
 HUAC concentrates on investigating the
American Communist Party, fearing it had
infiltrated the United States Government.
 HUAC called people before the committee to
testify about Communist involvement.

Hollywood Became a Target

The HUAC established
that Communist beliefs
were being spread via
mass media. At this
time, movies were
becoming more liberal,
and therefore, were
believed to be a threat;
many felt that
Hollywood was
attempting to
propagandize
Communist beliefs.
Senator Joseph McCarthy
On February 9, 1950 …
Senator McCarthy declared that the State
Department, with the full knowledge of the
Secretary of State, had become infested with
Reds (Communists)
He had no direct involvement
with the House committee,
But his free-flung accusations
fed the paranoia the country felt.
McCarthy Trials and McCarthyism

By 1951, a new flourish
of accusations began and
a new wave were
subpoenaed to “name
names”—to snitch on
those who were
Communists or believed
to be Communist
sympathizers.

Later, the terms McCarthy
Trials and McCarthyism
were coined, which
described the antiCommunist movement
and trials of the 1950s.
Witnesses had three options:

Claim they were not members
of the Communist Party

Admit membership
and be forced to name other members

Refuse to answer questions
and serve between six and twelve months in jail.
The Crucible

Arthur Miller wrote The
Crucible in 1953, after
witnessing first-hand the
modern witch-hunt that had
taken place in the United
States. Miller wrote the
controversial play as an
allegory, a play which
represents something much
deeper. In this case, the
story is about the Salem
witch trials of the 1690s,
but warns of history
repeating these tragic
events on the 1950s.