During the years 1950 to 1954, Senator Joseph McCarthy instilled fear in Americans with his anti-Communist ideologies. The HUAC (House of Un-American Activity Committee) Hearings, led by Senator McCarthy, caused widespread disruption throughout the United States. These hearings specifically targeted various groups including government workers, college professors, playwrights, Hollywood screenwriters and actors, artists and musicians, homosexuals, Jews, as well as individuals sporting goatees.
Joseph McCarthy, a relatively unknown senator from Wisconsin, rose to prominence after delivering a speech in West Virginia where he alleged that the State Department had been infiltrated by Communists. This accusation grabbed the media’s attention, leading to the establishment of a Senate committee dedicated to investigating these claims.
The United States was experiencing a period of intense suspicion and persecution towards Communists, as there were suspicions that an American communist had stolen the formula for the atomic bomb. The emergence of Communism in both Russia under Stalin and China under Mao Tse Tung resulted in a stronger conservative stance within the country. The Republican Party, who held control of Congress at the time, along with President Truman reviving HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee), aimed to alleviate fears among Americans.
Investigations were initiated to search for Communist activities in organized labor, the Federal government, and specifically Hollywood. Hollywood faced the harshest impact of these accusations, leading many actors and writers to relocate to Europe or Mexico in order to avoid imprisonment. As a response to the accusations, a group of liberal figures in Hollywood established the Committee for the First Amendment (CFA). The CFA travelled to Washington to provide support for their fellow Hollywood individuals but ultimately disassociated themselves from them due to feeling exploited. The HUAC meetings resulted in numerous job losses within the film industry. At a Democratic meeting, President Truman endorsed Anti-Communist sentiments to gain political backing and public approval. Requiring individuals to take an Anti-Communist oath became a common practice in governmental employment, with refusal resulting in termination.
McCarthyism had a lasting impact on the government and people of the United States. Had individuals been able to voice their opinions about the government without the fear of being labeled as Communists, events like the Vietnam War may not have occurred. This also had an effect on culture and academics, resulting in mundane and non-controversial television shows and movies. The country made efforts to distance itself from Communism and progressive viewpoints. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s, with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement and the escalation of the Vietnam War, that liberal ideas started gaining acceptance.
Both McCarthyism and The Crucible share similarities in their pursuit of attention. Senator McCarthy sought attention by accusing the State Department of harboring Communist personnel, although he provided no evidence and failed to mention the number of individuals involved. Nevertheless, this story gained considerable media attention. Similarly, in The Crucible, the girls falsely claimed to have seen individuals consorting with the devil. Through these lies, they drew attention from Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and most notably, the townspeople.
People react in strange ways when faced with the fear of something unfamiliar. In McCarthyism, individuals were afraid of Communism and became fearful of anyone who had unique ideas, different viewpoints, or anything that was considered unconventional. Similarly, in The Crucible, characters were terrified at the thought of being accused of witchcraft and constantly lived in fear for their lives while also worrying about how others perceived them.
Throughout history, individuals have often hesitated to challenge societal norms and confront potential repercussions. This apprehension was particularly prominent among Jews living in Nazi Germany, who experienced constant anxiety due to their perceived inferiority. Similarly, African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Movement also harbored significant fear while asserting their individual rights and freedoms. However, as McCarthyism waned and society advanced, people gradually recognized that they could openly express their convictions without dreading persecution.
