Comparing The Salem Witch Trials And The Era Of Mccarthyism

Have you ever wondered how fear and paranoia grip an entire community, tearing lives apart? The parallels between the Salem witch trials and the era of McCarthyism shed light on the lasting impact of hysteria. The Salem witch trials took place in the late 17th century in Massachusetts, where numerous people were accused of witchcraft and faced trials, while McCarthyism refers to the anti-communist investigations led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the historical Salem witch trials parallel McCarthyism, examining how historical events can serve as an inspiration for the work of literature. The Salem witch trials, occurring in early 1692 to 1963 had a significant impact on society, which they were fueled by religious fervor and societal tensions. Moreover, it took place in

In medieval times, there was a widespread belief among Christians and others that witches had made deals with the devil to harm people. This led to the execution of tens of thousands of suspected witches, with the majority being women. It caused a "witchcraft craze" across Europe, highlighting the influence of superstition and fear during that dark period of history (Blumberg). To add on, showing the impact of hysteria, one editor claimed that “many in the community who viewed the unfolding events as travesties remained mute”, they felt this way because they were “afraid that they would be punished for raising objections to the proceedings” (Wallenfeldt). This fear arose because if they were to be punished, they would be “accused of witchcraft themselves” and could be hanged as well (Wallenfeldt). As the trials occurred, several historical figures were present. For example, Elizabeth, also referred to as Betty, was the 9-year-old daughter of Reverend Parris, and his 11-year-old niece Abigail