The Red Scare/Salem witch Trials

A detailed Summary of The Red Scare/Salem witch Trials

From 1945 to around 1952, America endured the Red

Scare. The Red Scare, the hunt for Communists, was epitomized in

the McCarthy trials when many innocent citizens were labeled as

Communists. In many ways, it resembled the notorious Salem

Witch Hunt of the 1690's. Both involved fear, prejudice, and a lack

The Salem witch hunt was centered in Salem,

Massachusetts during the 1690's. The thing most important about

this is the time--1690. In 1563, a little more than a century before

the witch hunts of the1690's, Queen Elizabeth legalized the killing

of witches. She made a law stating that the first offense was

punishable by pillory (public ridicule) but the second offense was

punishable by death. James I wasn't so lenient. He decided that on

the first offense, a witch must die.

At this time in America, the New England colonies were

recovering from a serious Native American uprising lead by the

Wampanoag tribe. The Wampanoags had come close to

eliminating the colonies in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode

Island until they were defeated in 1675. In the 1690s, the wartime

atrocities were vivid memories. Witchcraft and demon-worship

was needed was a spark, and the fire would be uncontainable.

Puritans were defending their way of life and establishing the

threatened by Communism and believed it was spreading.

accused--the right to a fair trial, etc.- were trampled.

a long, bloody war, and was followed by the cold war. The cold

was the time from 1945 until around 1952. World War II had been

Truman authorized a program to investigate the loyalty of

more names, or they were hanged. (At least twenty were hanged.)

years old, refused to answer the question and was pressed to death.

outside of their country with an agenda for world domination. So

mate. Neither wanted to start the war again and drive the other out

Approximate Word count = 1119
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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