Guided Handouts
McCarthyism
2-3
Japanese Internment Camps
4-5
Post 9/11
6-7
West Memphis Three
8-9
*you can print these out and handwrite
them or just type your responses right on
here and print it out that way.
*just be sure you print out YOUR topic,
not the entire packet!
1
Guided Handout:
McCarthyism, “Red Scare”
Your task is to do further research on the “Red Scare,” or McCarthyism, of the 1950s and
hysteria. This “Red Scare” prompted Arthur Miller to write The Crucible.
• Document any important information that you encounter during your research.
• Analyze the reasons for the hysteria behind McCarthyism and how community
leaders responded to it.
• Answer the questions listed below to help you explain this hysteria to your
group members.
• Prepare to meet with your fellow group members in order to propose an
appropriate course of actions for the administration.
Questions to consider:
What events and accusations started the hysteria that led up to McCarthyism in the
1950s?
What are some examples of discrimination during the accusations, and to what degree do
you think discrimination was a cause of the hysteria?
2
How did the federal government leaders respond to the accusations and proceedings?
How did the general public react to accusations of communism?
What elements of these trials in the 1950s remind you of the Salem Witch Trials from the
1690s? Why?
3
Guided Handout:
Japanese Internment Camps
Your task is do research with the links listed below in order to advise the principal on a
course of action for responding to school violence hysteria. Your topic of research is the
relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. During your research:
• Document any important information that you encounter during your research.
• Analyze the reasons for hysteria against Japanese Americans and how leaders in the
United States government responded to it.
• Answer the questions listed below to help you explain this hysteria to your group
members.
• Prepare to meet with your fellow group members in order to propose an
appropriate course of actions for the administration.
Questions to consider:
Why were Japanese Americans discriminated during World War II?
What evidence do you see of hysteria based upon discrimination?
4
What was former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's response to hysteria against
Japanese Americans?
Was the response to hysteria against Japanese Americans appropriate? Why or why not?
What specific examples from these internment camps remind you of the Salem Witch
Trials? Why?
5
Guided Handout:
The Aftermath of September 11th
Your task is do research with the links listed below in order to advise the principal on a
course of action for the scenario in the introduction. Your topic of research is the
discrimination against Arab-Americans during the aftermath of September 11th. During
your research:
• Document any important information that you encounter during your research.
• Analyze the reasons for hysteria against Arab-Americans and how the United
States government responded to it.
• Answer the questions listed below to help you explain this hysteria to your group
members.
• Prepare to meet with your group members in order to propose an appropriate
course of actions for the principal.
Questions to consider:
Why were Arab-Americans discriminated against following the terrorist attacks of
September 11?
What evidence do you see of hysteria based upon discrimination?
6
What was the United States government’s response to hysteria against Arab-Americans?
Was the response to hysteria against Arab-Americans appropriate? Why or why not?
What specific examples remind you of the Salem Witch Trials? Why?
7
Guided Handout:
The West Memphis Three
Your task is to do further research on the West Memphis Three and the hysteria
surrounding
• Document any important information that you encounter during your research.
• Analyze the reasons for the hysteria behind the trial(s) for the West Memphis Three and
how community leaders responded to it.
• Answer the questions listed below to help you explain this hysteria to your group
members.
• Prepare to meet with your fellow group members in order to propose an
appropriate course of actions for the administration.
Questions to consider:
What events and accusations started the hysteria that led up to the West Memphis Three
Trials?
In the Salem Witch Trials, the first accused were those who were easy targets. How did
this repeat itself with the West Memphis Three?
8
How did the local community in and around West Memphis, Arkansas, respond to the
accusations and proceedings?
How were The West Memphis Three eventually set free? Do you think this was a
reasonable plea? Why or why not?
What other elements of the trial are reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials? Explain
9