Comparison/Contrast of McCarthyism vs. Salem Witch Trials

McCarthyism:

~McCarthy suspected many people of being communists
~McCarthy had those who were suspected of being communists blacklisted
~this was mainly focused on Hollywood stars/directors
~those who were feared were the communists
~people feared the Soviet Union during this time period
~the media was afraid to stand up to McCarthy because media members feared they would be considered communists
~over 320 people were accused of trying to overthrow the United States government
~McCarthy was a government official




Salem Witch Trials:

~Abigail Williams accused many people of being witches
~those who were suspected of being witches were jailed and hanged if they did not admit to being a witch
~people feared the forest
~townspeople feared standing up against it
~Abigail wanted John as her husband so she decided to seek revenge against Elizabeth
~laws made witchcraft a crime
~many people are accused because their neighbors wanted their land
~over 100 people were accused of being witches
~Abigail was a common girl






















Both:

~there is no real proof, just suspicion
~both Abigail and McCarthy were popular at first, but after events ended, they both became nothing (Abigail became a prostitute; McCarthy became a nobody)
~both Abigail and McCarthy spread fear, hatred, and evil
~there were hearings
~those who were believed to be witches were feared, while those who were believed to be communists were also feared
~the public believed both Abigail and McCarthy
~"The Crucible" was written in 1953, while McCarthyism was occurring
~Arthur Miller (writer of "The Crucible") was blacklisted
~in both cases, one person caused major destruction