Parallels Between Witchcraft And Mccarthyism - 1405 Words

Parallels Between Witchcraft and McCarthyism During the Salem witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, and McCarthyism all across America many of the traits were historically similar and based on little or no evidence. When looking back on witchcraft in the 1600s and McCarthyism in the 1940s and 50s life at the time had many influences and many things parallel; both were caused by fear and paranoia and resulted in destruction. The witch trials in Salem and the hearings all across America about McCarthyism were influenced by daily activities and daily life. The Salem witch trials happened when Puritanism was a major religion, so when people were accused of worshipping the devil this was crazy for citizens to think of because they were so†¦show more content†¦These people were suspected of helping the Communist country, so this Cold War hostility helped to determine the harsh punishment given to the suspected communist. There was a â€Å"list of questionable organizations . . . that were considered disloyal† (Reeves). One could be put on this list simply because the boss did not get along with the employee. Anyone, even the loyalist, and most trustworthy people, could be tried for Communism. Many innocent people s lives were forever changed by the insane acts of this time. Although most events during these two time periods parallel some think things do not. Mrs. Kanzan of â€Å"The Demons of Salem, With Us Still† does not think that Salem and McCarthyism parallel. She thinks the exact opposite, that witches did not exist but Communism does. She calls it â€Å"a false parallel† (Navasky) because they do not match up enough to one another. Mrs. Kanzan might think that, but many at the time did not see it that way, they thought that both were real although they ultimately were over exaggerated and unnecessary. The Salem witch trials and the McCarthy hearings happened in different time periods, but have the same general ideas. These people would be considered free of the devil once they name others whom they had seen with the devil, if people refused to name others they would be hanged or put in jail awaiting a trial. During McCarthyism, which started during the Cold War, many government workers were accused of being SovietShow MoreRelatedThe Themes Of Mccarthyism In The Crucible By Arthur Miller1685 Words   |  7 PagesPeople often lie if they must choose between telling the truth which would ruin their lives or lie and accuse others to save oneself. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller emphasizes mass hysteria caused by people accusing innocent people to save oneself from death. Even though the Salem witch trials and the McCarthyism era took place in different time periods, they both show the reoccurring theme of chaos caused by lying and accusing others to save oneself. The Crucible, which i llustrates the time duringRead MoreComparing The Crucible And Mccarthyism861 Words   |  4 PagesThe Crucible, many people were accused of practicing witchcraft. The ones who confessed, were sentenced to jail and the ones who denied it, were killed. The only way they had to prove what was being done, was spectral evidence. Therefore, the only person known to tell the truth was the victim. McCarthyism involved communists, like The Crucible, those who were accused were sentenced to jail time. The parallels between The Crucible and McCarthyism are naming names, the lack of evidence, and rebellionRead MoreMccarthyism : Salem Witch Trials1246 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Salem witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts and McCarthyism all across America many of the traits were historically similar and based on little or no evidence. 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