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McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…) McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…)

McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…) - PowerPoint Presentation

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McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…) - PPT Presentation

McCarthy Blacklists HUAC and Arthur Miller the guy who wrote the Crucible How can an author use a historical situation to illustrate a current problem Why did Miller write this play in the 1950s hundreds of years after the historical Salem Witch trials ID: 772225

miller huac blacklists mccarthy huac miller mccarthy blacklists communist crucible witch salem years 1950

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McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…) How can an author use a historical situation to illustrate a current problem? Why did Miller write this play in the 1950’s, hundreds of years after the historical Salem Witch trials?

The Crucible Written by Arthur Miller (1915-2005)The Crucible was first staged at the Martin Beck Theater on Broadway on January 22, 1953 when Miller was 38 years old.

Quick 20th century history lesson… 1917 – Czar Nicholas II forced to abdicate; Russian Republic established under Russian Provisional Govt. Communists overthrow Republic “October Revolution” led to growth of the USSR Americans aware, but didn’t think it was important American Communist Party created

THEN CAME WWII… Allies in WWII Different political ideologies signaled beginning of COLD WAR Became very unpopular to be Communist in America Anyone who is or was Communist considered threat Led to creation of HUAC

What is HUAC? HUAC stands for:House UnAmerican Activities Committee (1938-1969) Responsible for hunting down Communists and suspected Communist activities Focused on artists, intellectuals, and actors/writers/directors Studios started creating Blacklists People named and listed in hearings Could not work anywhere

Who was blacklisted? Over 300 entertainers were placed on blacklists and one point or another, including: Charlie Chaplin (actor) Orson Wells (actor) Pete Seeger (folk singer), Richard Wright (writer), Dorothy Parker (writer), Leonard Berstein (movie composer)

Then came 1950… Joseph McCarthy elected in 1946 Previously unknown; became instant household name Accused people in public service Very rarely had evidence Never proved plots to overthrow the country Never served on HUAC, but forever tied to it “McCarthyism” Elected to 2nd term in 1952

Miller’s connections Elia Kazan called before HUAC After Miller talked to him, started investigating Salem Witch Trials of 1692 Wrote The Crucible in response

Writes The Crucible in response No one questioned existence of witches in Salem No one questioned existence of Communists in America One overriding theme: paranoia Saw too many parallels to ignore

Parallels: 1950’s to the play Communism = witchcraft HUAC, and McCarthy = the court, and Reverend Parris Proctor = Arthur Miller Blacklists = list of condemned witches McCarthy used his accusations for political and personal gain = Putnam and others used witchcraft hysteria for personal gain. Parris tried to hide behind his power.

The play Audiences and critics hated it No one likes a heavy-handed moral history lesson Wasn’t popular until a year later Themes, motifs, and conflicts hold true more than 50 years later

Miller and the HUAC Called before HUAC in 1956 Agreed not to ask him names of associates Went back on that promise "I could not use the name of another person and bring trouble on him.“ Held in contempt, blacklisted, fined, sentenced to prison in May 1957 Conviction overturned in 1958

End of the HUAC Began to decline in late ‘50s 1959 - denounced by former President Harry Truman as the "most un-American thing in the country today.” Lost prestige as ‘60s progressed 1969 – name changed to House Committee on Internal SecurityDisbanded in January 1975

Endings… McCarthy eventually lost power censured by the Senate career ruined became a “pale ghost” of his former selfdied May 2, 1957, at age 48, while still in office

Endings… Miller became famous, celebrated playwright Continued to receive awards and accolades Married 3 times, divorced 2, 2 childrenDied Feb 10, 2005, in Roxbury, Md

What really caused the witch hysteria? Fungal poisoning !