The Crucible Context Handout

The Crucible – CONTEXT Time of writing/production/reception: First performance was in 1953 The ‘Cold War’ began in approx 1947 after the end of WW2. There were a lot of tensions between the Soviet Union (Russia & other Eastern European countries) who were Communist and the USA which was Capitalist . Republican senator Joseph McCarthy was an American politician who publicly fuelled fears of widespread Communist subversion during a period known as the Cold War. McCarthy gave a speech in February 1950 , claiming that he has a list This caused mass hysteria and a ‘communist witch-hunt’ Writers, actors and anyone else who was in the public eye were asked to testify in court and asked to name other communists. This resulted in them blacklisting others from Hollywood and ruining their careers. There was a lot of paranoia and false accusations. Miller was called to testify by the House of Representatives on un-American activities Committee in 1956 but refused to name anyone. He was found in contempt of court ($500 fine or 30 days in prison) During this time, he was reading ‘ The Devil in Massachusetts’ (1949) and saw the parallels between Salem and the situation in America. PURITAN context Timeline of key events: 1597: First Europeans settle in America. America already inhabited by several tribes, who quickly go into decline. 1600s-1700s: Africans shipped to America and sold as slaves 1620: Plymouth colony is established by English Pilgrims 1627: Salem first settled by Europeans 1692-1693: Salem witch trials. 20 people are executed, mainly women. Puritan communities: Belief and fear of the supernatural was very common in 15th Century England. This continued in the newly settled Puritan communities in America . Puritans were extremely devout Christians and did not believe in dancing or many other pleasurable activities. They believed your life should be dedicated to work and prayer. Their clothes were plain as they did not believe in decoration. You would be ‘checked up’ on if you missed church. They lived in a Theocracy Communities were landowners and there was a lot of rivalry and competition. The Salem witch trials: 1692- 1693 20 people were executed (mainly women) There was mass hysteria Some people think this was a guise (an excuse) to bring down rival families (record show that there were a lot of disputes over land at the time) Perhaps it was also an excuse to get rid of the ‘bad’ Puritans from society There was a new trial in 1693 where three women were pardoned. After this, less and less people were accused. It wasn’t until almost 20 years later that people really realised how much the legal system had failed them. Some convictions were overturned (including Giles Corey and Rebecca Nurse).