Now that we have learned a little more about McCarthyism and how it influenced Arthur Miller, we are going to try to delve into the minds of people living during the Salem Witch Trials. We are going to visit the National Geographic Salem Witchcraft Hysteria site and face the kinds of choices that people had to make during the 1600’s. Later, we will think about how the experiences of people living during that time compare to people who lived through McCarthyism and the Cold War.
First, visit and complete the Witchcraft Hysteria experience. (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/). Click on the link below to begin.
When you are finished, answer the following questions.
- Describe
your feelings as you read through “your experience.” In
what ways did the design of the website help to create a particular mood?
Be specific. In your opinion, was the simulation effective in
depicting the atmosphere of the Salem Witch Trials?
- Pretend
for a moment that your experiences in the simulation really
happened. What is the most dangerous behavior you could
display? Why?
- Think
about what you already know about life during McCarthyism. What
“dangerous behavior” could cause you to be accused of being a
communist? Are there any similarities between the accused in the
1690’s and the accused in the 1950’s?
When you are finished, discuss your reactions with a neighbor. Consider the contemporary question of dangerous behavior – what behavior could be construed as dangerous today? Why?