Mrs. Gumbita
Academic English, Period 2
19 December 2014
The Crucible and McCarthyism
During the Cold War, suspicion of communism was on the rise. More people were
constantly being put on trial for being spies or “comsymps”. The more that people were
wrongfully accused the more Arthur Miller saw a connection with the Salem Witch Trials in
Massachusetts. The connection gave Miller the idea to write the play, The Crucible. Looking
through the historical lens of the Cold War helps the reader understand the play by showing
how hysteria spreads, what happens when people are wrongfully accused, and the
consequences of coming to conclusions too fast.
To begin with, understanding the events of McCarthyism helps the reader understand
The Crucible by helping them realize the spread of hysteria and what it can do. As stated in the
webpage “While the house Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) had been formed in 1938
as an anti-communist organ, McCarthy’s accusations heightened political tensions of the time”
(“McCarthyism”, lines 15-17). To point out, the author is saying McCarthy caused more
problems than he solved. During the Cold War after McCarthy suspected a few people of
communism, the idea spread fast. People were accused everywhere. The same thing also
happened in The Crucible. Before it was ever confirmed Betty was cursed by a witch, the town
of Salem went haywire. New people were accused daily. Understanding the Cold War and how
McCarthyism spread so fast, the reader can realize how easy it is for witchcraft to also spread.
In addition to understanding the spread of hysteria, if the reader understands how
people were wrongfully accused during the spread of communism, it becomes easier to
understand how people were wrongfully accused during the spread of witchcraft. Significantly
stated, “Known as McCarthyism, the paranoid hunt for infiltrators was notoriously difficult on
writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist sympathizers and were
unable to continue working.” (“McCarthyism”, lines 17-20). The spread of communism hit
famous writers, artists, and entertainers the hardest. Arthur Miller was one of the many famous
people accused. In The Crucible, well-known people were also accused. Most of the people
accused were considered good Christians. Rebecca Nurse was one of the good Christians
accused, who was a righteous person in everyone’s eyes. McCarthy and the accusers during The
Crucible both chose the wrong people.
Furthermore, when the reader realizes the outcome of McCarthyism, the outcome of
The Crucible, makes more sense. The lives of the people who were accused changed forever.
For instance, “the trials, which were publicized, could often destroy a career with a single
unsubstantiated accusation. Among those well-known artists accused of communist sympathies
or called before the committee were Paul Robeson, Arthur Miller, Aaron Copland, Leonard
Bernstein, Charlie Chaplin and Elia Kazan. In all, three hundred and twenty artists were
blacklisted, and for many of them this meant the end of exceptional and promising careers.”
(“McCarthyism”, lines 22-29). Since they were accused, many of them lost their careers and
were blacklisted. Salem residents were excommunicated if they were accused and admitted to
being witches. There was also the possibility of them losing their lives over it. The outcome of
McCarthyism is similar when compared to The Crucible. When the reader understands the
effects of McCarthyism the play is easier to understand.
Arthur Miller got the idea to write The Crucible from the book he was reading about the
Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts. He saw a connection with the current events of the Cold
War. Comparing the trials to McCarthyism helps the reader understand The Crucible by painting
a clearer picture of what can come from hysteria, accusing the wrong people, and the
consequences of making accusations.