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Puritans-Beliefs

Total depravity- human beings are inherently evil think think downfall of Adam and Eve

Predestination-Salvation belongs to the “elect”, or God’s chosen. No good works will help you become saved.

Grace-God’s grace is fully given to those who accept and believe

The Bible is the supreme authority on Earth.

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Puritans-Sabbath

preparations began the day before. All of the food had to be cooked and clothes ready.

No labor, not even sewing, could be done on the Sabbath.

required to read the Bible not doing so was thought that they were worshiping the devil.

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Salem Witch Trials-the start

1692-1693 Salem, Massachusetts

New England, under the English legal system, witches would be subject to arrest, trial, conviction and sentenced to hanging

two young girls; Betty (the daughter) and Abigail Williams (the niece) of the Salem Village minister, Reverend Samuel Parris had unexplained behaviors

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Salem Witch Trials- Causes of Hysteria

Strong belief in Devil giving power to witches (disease, natural catastrophes, bad fortune…)

Disputes, Rivalries and Personal Differences (Putnam vs Porters)

Teenage Boredom

Confessing "witches" Tituba-was influential in bringing others to trial

Ergot poisoning-rye grains contaminated with a fungus known as ergot causes hallucinations and convulsions similar to those reported

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Salem Witch Trial-Results

more than 200 people were accused unjustly of practicing witchcraft.

20 executed 13 died in prison

Giles Corey, was pressed to death when he refused to plead.

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Salem Witch Trials-the end

Eventually, the colonial government acknowledged that the trials were a mistake, and compensated the families of those convicted.

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McCarthyism

-The Start

A period of intense suspicion of Communist sympathizers in the United States during the early 1950s.

It began when Senator Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, claimed that communists had infiltrated the Department of State

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was formed to investigate allegations of communism, which anyone could claim.

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Prosecutions- “Witch Hunts”

During this period, everyone but especially those in the public eye became the subjects of aggressive “witch hunts” often based on inconclusive, questionable evidence.

Persons accused of being communists were often denied employment in both the public and private sector.

over 300 actors, writers, and directors were denied work in the U.S.

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McCarthyism

- the End

McCarthyism a campaign or practice that endorses the use of unfair allegations and investigations (Google)

1954-a famous CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, aired an investigative news report, which revealed McCarthy as dishonest in his speeches and abusive in his interrogation of witnesses.

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Arthur Miller

-Personal Life

Born October 17, 1915
raised in Brooklyn, NY
Attended the University of Michigan and majored in English
Married three times
Had four children
died of a heart attack on February 10, 2015

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Arthur Miller-Career

1947- All My Sons

1949-Pulitzer Prize for Death of a Salesman

1953-wrote The Crucible

Allegory for the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism “witch hunts”

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Arthur Miller-in Politics

was investigated by the HUAC for possible associations with the Communist Party

1954-was denied a passport to attend The Crucible London opening

Because he refused to “give names,” he was found guilty of contempt of Congress, sentenced to

a fine and prison sentence
blacklisted
disallowed a passport.

His sentence was later overturned.

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