School Board Member Research
McCarthyism, "Red Scare"
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible explores how discrimination caused hysteria during the Salem witch trials in September of 1692. The result of such discrimination was that hundreds of people were accused of witchcraft and imprisoned for months. An additional nineteen people were convicted and executed for the same accusation.
Your task is to do further research on the “Red Scare,” or McCarthyism, of the 1950s and hysteria using the links listed below in order to advise the principal on a course of action for the scenario in the introduction.
During your research:
Questions to consider:
What events and accusations started the hysteria that led up to McCarthyism?
What are some examples of discrimination during the accusations, and to what degree do you think discrimination was a cause of the hysteria?
How did local, state, and federal government leaders respond to the accusations and proceedings?
How did the general public react to accusations of communism?
Student Questions Handout (PDF)
Research Links:
Information on Joseph Raymond McCarthy
This site includes biographical information about Joe McCarthy, the events that took place during the height of McCarthyism, and the aftermath in the years that followed the hysteria. You should look through the first five bullets (Introduction, 1909-1950, 1950-1954, 1954-1957, and Conclusion)
Letters from McCarthy to President Eisenhower
http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/dl/McCarthy/Mccarthydocuments.html
This site includes links to letters exchanged between President Eisenhower and specific senators and advisors during the “Red Scare” era. You should look specifically at the three page letter written from McCarthy to President Eisenhower (three separate PDFs). However, feel free to read any additional letters for more information about the period.
McCarthyism Definition
http://encyclopedia.lockergnome.com/s/b/McCarthyism
This site includes a general definition of McCarthyism with numerous links to other key words and phrases of the era. Take some time and look through the additional links on this page by clicking on the highlighted words.
McCarthyism Definition
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmccarthyism.htm
This site includes a more detailed description of McCarthyism, addressing the events that led of to the height of the “Red Scare.” Feel free to look at some of the highlighted words for further information. Under the description, there are several newspaper excerpts. Read four excerpts and try to gain a general understanding of the public’s reaction to McCarthyism.
Persons Accused of Being Communists
Scroll down to the section entitled "Blacklisted." This section provides a list of many of the people blacklisted by McCarthy as communists. Look at the profiles of four people on this list. Compare and contrast the type of people who were accused.