The Salem Witch Trials And The Red Scare

Kasen Hammond
Mr. G
English 11A
16 December 2022
Title
Fear. Betrayal. Corruption. Since the beginning of time these actions have been seen in the center of so many lives. In our world today they are more relevant than ever. It is human nature to experience those things and it is human nature to act in ways that may be second nature to us. These actions can cause pain and anguish in the Lives of others. There have been many examples when that has happened. During the 1920’s the fear of Communism hit America heavily causing the Red Scare. America was thrown into a loop and things were done that would not usually be done. In relation to the Red Scare, the Salem Witch trials can be seen as similar to the Red Scare in many ways. Aurthur

When this was going around, people started to fear the idea that witches were living among them because, they were extremely religious and the thought of witches brought much unease and panic. This can be related to the Red Scare in the sense that People during the 1950’s feared Communism. According to Ohio History Center, “Many in the U.S. feared that the Soviet Union and its allies were planning to forcefully spread communism around the globe, overthrowing both democratic and capitalist institutions as it went.” This goes to show that People feared that certain people and certain beliefs would overthrow their government and other kind’s of parties. With the worry of witches in Salem in the 1690’s fear led officials to do things they would not usually do. In Salem The court officials were doing things they did not tend to do on a regular basis. This was also seen During the 1950’s. Quizlet stated, “Truman set up Loyalty Review Board to investigate over 3 million. Congress set up HUAC to look for Communists. Hollywood created list of 500 people and refused to hire people on black list.” This goes to show that The U.S. government went out of their way, and did things that they other wise wouldn’t of done if it were not for the fear of Communism in the United

When people were accused of being a witch or associating with the devil, to get the blame off of themselves, they would accuse other people of being a witch or using witchcraft with no proof or for the fact that they didn’t like that person or they were different in some ways. Examples of this could be seen during the second Red Scare when people accused other people with no real proof or verification. Slps.org pronounced, “Some Americans used the Red Scare as an excuse to act against any people who were different” This goes to show that Americans betrayed others out of dislike and hate. Americans hoped on the chance as soon as it arrived to blame and shame people that were different or had different beliefs. That is just one example of how America showed betrayal in relation to Salem in the 1690’s. Another example has to deal with that fact that they accused people from Hollywood or people of the higher class. These people would then be known among the people and they would know not to hire certain people. According to History.com, “Pressured by Congress, the Hollywood establishment started a blacklist policy, banning the work of about 325 screenwriters, actors and directors who had not been cleared by the committee.” This clarifies how people in Hollywood were being betrayed and be ousted of jobs and opportunities that may have came if it were not being put on the