Who Were the Puritans? The Puritans were a group of people who grew discontent with the Church of England. They believed the Church of England had become a product of political struggles and man-made doctrines. To escape persecution from the king, Puritans fled to America.
What were the Puritans major religious beliefs? Puritans believed the Bible was God’s true law. Puritans believed in exclusiveness. People of opposing faiths were asked to leave the community. Native Americans who refused to accept the ways were often killed. Actions spoke louder than words and had to be constantly monitored. People were predestined for heaven. Hard work led to rewards in heaven.
What were the Puritans beliefs about society? Politics should be guided by religion. One is not separate from the other. Education was of the utmost importance in order to be able to read the Word of God. Three “diversions” were banned: theater, religious music and worldly poetry All actions are dictated by God or the devil and should be examined to determine good or evil. Devil could take forms, witches exist, dreams tell the future, miracles and monsters happen.
What were the major Puritan Innovations? Established the first free schooling in 1635. Established the first American college, Harvard University. Establish the first printing press in America in 1638. Wrote the first children’s books.
Salem Witch Trials Began in the Spring of 1692 when a group of young girls began behaving strangely. The girls began to accuse fellow villagers of witchcraft, and the hysteria spread through the village. Witch experts and judges from around Massachusetts began holding hearings in which the girls made a spectacle. People were asked to confess or face death.
Experts looked for witches with marks or unbecoming behavior and conducted tests. When government officials’ wives and devout church members were accused, the girls began to lose credibility. When the trials ended, 25 people had lost their lives. 19 were hanged, 1 was pressed, 5 (including a young child) died in jail. History lost track of some of the girls. The leader disappeared; others married and moved away; and only one apologized before the entire church.
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Witch or Not?
Why Did Miller Write the Play? To protest the communist hunt taking place in the 1950s Four years after the play, Miller was accused of Communism His own trial was a theater with people trying to strike deals using his wife (Marilyn Monroe). Compared the hunt for Communism to Salem Witch Trials Fictional play based on historical trials Tried to draw comparisons between ridiculous hysteria of Salem and the Red Scare
The hunt for Communism was known as the Red Scare Fear of communism came both after WWI and WWII This fear of Communism was sparked by three things. Russia’s successful test of the atomic bomb in 1949 President Truman’s determination to show Democrats weren’t “soft” on communism High profile prosecutions of communists Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
How to Recognize a Communist (government propoganda) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeZ5SKXvj8&list=FLDXu1ZSjl0QdqMZW1TDOLpA&index=3
Red Scare Hearings Loyalty Boards: Meant to rid the government of communists Run by administrators, not judges No testifying under oath Although they only fired people, names were leaked to media House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Questioned people about their communist activities People either gave up names of others or were blacklisted Launched a significant campaign against Hollywood Lucille Ball, Langston Hughes, Arthur Miller, Charlie Chaplin, Burl Ives, Orson Welles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4N46jLdhCU
Joe McCarthy Elected to Senate in 1946 Ran for re-election Decided to attack communism Held up a blank paper and announced he had 205 names of known communists within the Truman administration (specifically political opponents) Re-elected easily and at height of popularity, 69% of the American public believed McCarthy was doing a good job ridding the country of communists
Edward R. Murrow’s opinion: “The line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one.” “Accusation is not proof.” “We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason.” “We are not descended from fearful men.” “There is no way for a citizen of the republic to abdicate his responsibilities.” “We cannot defend freedom abroad while deserting it at home.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anNEJJYLU8M
Joe McCarthy Cont. Eventually lost all credibility with public Accused high ranking army officials Accused Edward R. Murrow Died three years after losing favor from complications associated with his alcoholism “McCarthyism”: to throw unsubstantiated charges against a particular individual