Unit 1

Arthur Miller

Background Information * born in New York, on October 17, 1915 * the prosperity of the Miller family ended abruptly due to stock market crash * the downgrade of this status and misery due to the Great Depression had a huge impact on the development of his social consciousness
Key events * began writing plays as a student * First Broadway play opened in 1944
His beliefs * every citizen deserved the right to their own political views
Arraignment by the House Un-American Activities * he was convicted of contempt of congress because he refused to identify the play writers * He was asked questions like why did he have a communist party write his plays * admitted that he had a few meetings and participated in several protests but denied affiliation with the party * was found guilty of this crime * court decision was overturned in the end

McCarthyism and the Crack-Down on Communists

What was McCarthyism? * known as the Red Scare * accused people of being communists so he could eliminate competition
How is Arthur Miller connected to McCarthyism? * Arthur Miller wrote ‘The Crucible’, a book depicting witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts while being a veil for the disdain he has for the communist witch hunts during the 1950’s by Joseph McCarthy * Miller uses the historical events as a backdrop to criticize the McCarthy era. Miller exposes the dangers of mass hysteria, false accusations, and the destruction of innocent lives. * He refused to discuss the experiences of his colleagues and associates when summoned by HUAC. * As a result, he was blacklisted for his refusal to specify the names of his associates but was later taken off the list.
How did McCarthyism change the American lifestyle? * caused great fear and paranoia of communism * Freedom of speech was limited due to the fear of association with communism
What was McCarthy’s goal? * to discredit his critics by accusing them of being communists or associated with it
What is ‘HUAC’ and “Blacklisting”? + People on the Hollywood blacklist * Stands for “House Unamerican Activity Committee” * established in 1938 * made to look into claims of disloyalty and rebellious behavior on the part of individuals, government workers, and groups thought to have ties to the Communist Party * those who refused to incriminate their friends were placed on the Hollywood blacklist * Blacklist - a list of people or groups that other people have to avoid due to claim that they have participated in unacceptable behaviors * people on this list were denied employment, based on their suspected Communist sympathies

Salem Witch Trials

What were the Salem Witch trials? * 1692-1693 * a time where more than 200 people were accused of being witches
Events that led to those trials * combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children
Outcome * the government encouraged people that they were doing a good thing by bringing out witches and encouraged them to find more. * 20 people who were convicted witches’ to be hanged and many other suspect to be imprisoned in Salem village
How do historians interpret these events? * The result of mass hysteria
How were these witches prosecuted? * normally by hanging * paraded through the city to their prosecution * beat to death by stones

Historical Witch Hunts

Introduction * started in early 1962 and mid 1963

Causes of witch hunts * poverty, epidemics, social crises, the creation of a master race, and lack of education

How this could have been avoided? * Started to educate people

Preventions * people could’ve been questioned if so many people could be witch hunt offenders
Consequences * slandered and denied of basic human rights * individuals who are accused and do not come forward will be beheaded

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