Mccarthyism & the communist threat

Communism Communism is a system of government where (in theory) everyone is equal, there is no single person or small groups of people who rule the others. There are also no social classes (e.g working classes, aristocracy etc). However, it has been demonstrated that this system generally cannot work and usually becomes a dictatorship (e.g Stalin in the USSR). Communism is a system where everything belongs to "the community", so people own nothing very little and share what they do have, and the State owns everything. Discuss with a friend: How is communism different to our system of government? What might be the implications for communist countries? Why would it be seen as a threat?

Communism looms over Western countries like a threatening cloud. Post-war america Communism looms over Western countries like a threatening cloud.

Joseph mccarthy Senator McCarthy leads a series of aggressive and unfounded investigations and questioning into people’s involvement with Communist organisations.

Context Hundreds are innocently accused and convicted of crimes they didn’t commit, or that were grossly exaggerated. They were accused of disloyalty, subversion and treason. Many were unsubstantiated. ‘McCarthyism’ is a term now used to describe any practice where someone wields accusations and shame without significant evidence.

Arthur miller The playwright was shocked by the political abuse of power of McCarthy. His play is an allegory for this time in history. Even though The Crucible is set in 1692 in Salem and is about witchcraft, it mirrors the events of the 1940s & 1950s. Both historical events are paralleled in his play. The witch hunts are symbolic of the paranoid ‘hunts’ of Communists in America.

Speaking out The McCarthy era made it difficult for entertainers and writers to voice their opinion on the events occurring. Many were labelled ‘Communist sympathisers’ – some had their passports confiscated or were jailed. Their trials were well publicised and one unsubstantiated accusation or rumour often ruined their promising careers.

The effect McCarthyism was a widespread social and cultural phenomenon that affected all levels of society and was the source of a great deal of debate and conflict in the United States. It created a sense of paranoia, hysteria and uneasiness amongst the American populace.

In texts There have been countless films, novels & plays that reflect this contextual issue. For example, in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film, Rear Window, it focuses on a character spying on his neighbours and dobbing them in for a crime he isn’t sure has actually happened.

The crucible In The Crucible, there are characters who are wrongly accused of witchcraft and other crimes, leading to sense of anxiety, mania and panic amongst the community. The word, ‘crucible’ can mean a severe test or trial. This is an appropriate title for this play because many are tested with regards to their faith. A ‘crucible’ is also a pot where substances are melted and purified at very high temperatures.

activity Read the handout given to you. Complete the Think-Share-Pair task.