How is Joe McCarthy related to the play The Crucible?

When we
read its important to know about Senator Joseph McCarthy. Even though he
is not a character in the play, his role in history is important to Millers story. McCarthy was
an American Senator from 1947 to 1957, during the Cold War and subsequent Red Scare. His work
stirring up fear of communism in America eventually became known as McCarthyism.

He worked to protect America from communism by identifying possible communists and
sympathizers; however, he often relied on dubious methods of identification. His work with the
House Committee on Un-American Activities targeted anyone who was deemed different than societys
normal expectations. Once called to testify in front of the committee, defendants could often
escape harsher punishments by turning over names of people who they knew to be communist.
Allegations and finger-pointing quickly turned into a modern-day witch-hunt as friends,
neighbors, and families turned on one another to escape punishment.

These
actions parallel the witch-hunt in The Crucible. We see accused witches
brought to court; if the confess to witchcraft, they are given a lighter sentence and then set
free. Once they confess, they are encouraged to name other guilty people. In act 2, Mary Warren
explains to the Proctors that Goody Osburn will hang because she refuses to confess, but that
Sarah Goode, who has confessed, will live. He sentenced her. He must. But not Sarah Good. For
Sarah Good confessed, ysee.

At the end of act 1, it is not enough that Tituba
confesses to witchcraft; she must also name other guilty people. Of course, since Tituba isnt a
witch, neither are the other women she names. In fact, it is not until Reverends Hale and Parris
continue to push her and suggest possible names that she finally agrees that she saw Sarah Goode
and Goody Osburn with the devil.

John Proctor is also charged with
witchcraft after he goes to court to tell the truth. He knows that the town isnt really being
afflicted by witches. Abigail, his former servant, tells him in act 1 that the girls were
playing in the forest and got scared. These two have a troubling past as we learn that they had
an affair before the start of the play. John is hanged for witchcraft at the end of the play
when he rips up his false confession and chooses to protect the honor of his name by not
lying.