Introduction
Arthur Miller's play The Crucible was inspired by the political climate of the 1950's: a fear of the spread of Communism and an infiltration of America's enemies. The purpose of this WebQuest is to familiarize you with both these periods in US History -- the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and the McCarthy Red Scare of the 1950's -- through an interactive project with your groups.
Task
The information you will learn through this WebQuest will help you appreciate two of the most intriguing events in this country's history. In your groups, skim the articles and watch the videos to answer the questions under each category. Create a word document, type the question, and place your answer. When you have finished, upload the word document through the correct module in Canvas.
Category 1: Arthur Miller
Category 2: Joseph McCarthy/McCarthyism
Category 3: The Red Scare
Category 4: House on UnAmerican Activities (HUAC)
Category 5: The Salem Witch Trials
Process
***The first four categories may use this link: General Information About the Era
Category 1: Arthur Miller
1. How did the Wall Street crash of 1929 impact Miller's family?
2. What university did he attend?
3. How did he earn money to go to school?
4. When did he start writing?
5. What awards has he won for his works? Be sure to name the two works and all the awards he won for those works.
6. What found actress was he married to?
***Use the second article for the following questions and skip down to the section that starts with "paranoia breeds paranoia."
7. What inspired him to write The Crucible?
8. What was Arthur Miller's involvement with McCarthyism?
9. In May of 1957, what was Miller found guilty of?
Category 2: Joseph McCarthy/McCarthyism
1. Who was Joseph McCarthy?
2. What is McCarthyism?
3. What did Joseph McCarthy do that caused mass hysteria?
4. What fear dominated the United States in the 1940's and 1950's?
5. What were three consequences should Americans be found guilty of communism?
6. What happened to Senator McCarthy as a result of his accusations?
7. Name at least two other people In Hollywood affected by McCarthyism.
Category 3: The Red Scare
1. What is the Red Scare?
2. What does it mean to be "blacklisted" during this era?
3. What is Communism?
4. What does subversion mean? How does it apply to this topic?
5. Who is to blame for the Red Scare?
6. How did the Red Scare impact Arthur Miller when writing The Crucible?
Category 4: The House UnAmerican Activities Committee
1. What is the HUAC?
2. What is its purpose?
3. How and by whom was it formed?
4. Name at least three consequences that could happen if a person was found guilty by the HUAC.
5. What impact did the HUAC have on Hollywood?
6. It's been said that the HUAC violated American values in search for Communists. Name 2-3 examples of why this might be true.
7. How do the HUAC relate to McCarthyism and The Crucible?
Category 5: The Salem Witch Trials
1. When did the Salem Witch Trials begins?
2. The trials have been called an hysteria. Who started the hysteria? What were the accusations?
3. How many were hanged for being a witch and/or practicing witchcraft?
4. When did the hysteria begin to abate?
5. What conditions around Salem (Danvers) exacerbated the life and contributed to the hysteria? (4 in all)
6. Name the other two conditions that fueled the trials.
7. What scientific evidence has been proposed that potentially caused the "afflictions" (those in league with the devil)?
8. Who was initially charged with bewitching the residents? Who were some of the residents afflicted?
9. What did one have to do in order to escape conviction from wtichcraft?
10. While the other accused witches were hanged, what happened to Giles Corey? Why was his execution different?
11. What happened in 1697 and 1711?
12. What literary term is used to describe how Arthur Miller used his play "The Crucible" to describe McCarthyism?