The Crucible Webquest
Famous American Trials
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/sale
m.htm
Task 1: The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Under “Chronology,” use the timeline of events relating to the Salem Witch
trials to answer the following questions.
Wikipedia info on the witch trials
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Witchcraft_Trials

What year was Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcraft and
Possessions published?

When was Elizabeth Proctor accused of witchcraft?

What happened in 1711?
When did the Salem witch trials take place?
How many people died?
How did people avoid execution?
The Cause of the Salem Witch Trials
http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/history/ergot.htm
What was the author’s theory behind the cause of the Salem Witch Trials?
Explain the Touch Test.
Jana Edwards
Page 1
3/8/2016
GROUP 2: Arthur Miller
Why did Arthur Miller select the word crucible?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/home.htm
Wikipedia info on Arthur Miller, author of The Crucible
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Miller
The word crucible has man meanings. Look up the meaning of the word (list
all definitions) and the etymology. Use this space to explain why you think
Miller selected this word for the title of the play.
Arthur Miller’s birth:
Arthur Miller’s death:
What other well-known play did he write?
What famous person was he married to (for a while!) and what did she have
to do to marry him?
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Fact and Fiction
(A Note on the Historical Accuracy of the Play)
http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml
What university did he attend? What degree did he receive there?
Describe inaccuracies concerning the following:
Why did he not have to serve in World War II?
Abigail’s age:
When did the Crucible open on Broadway?
Before what committee did he have to appear in 1956?
How witches were killed:
In May 1957, what was he found guilty of?
The Putnam’s daughter’s name:
What happened in August 1958?
The number of children the Putnams had:
What was the “Hollywood Ten”?
Jana Edwards
Page 2
3/8/2016
GROUP 3: Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare of
the 1950s
Communism and the Red Scare of the 50’s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_scare

Why were Americans afraid of Communists?
Wikipedia info on Senator McCarthy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_mccarthy
Summarize the following sections:

Describe the fall of McCarthy.
Jana Edwards
Page 3
3/8/2016