The Crucible, 1953 - Background: Political

The play, disguised as a historical play, is really about the McCarthy ear of the 1950's. Especially liberal intellectuals were blackmailed as comminists and taken to court. Many writers left the country and settled in Paris. Also Arthur Miller had to testifiy before the House of Un-American Activities.

Senator Joe McCarthy: biography
The Censure of Joe McCarthy. Time; October 04, 1954
McCarthy and Hollywood.
Timeline of Joe McCarthy's life and the House Un-American Activities Committee
"The Politics of Scholarship: Liberals, Anti-Communism, and McCarthyism" by Athan Theoharis
The Red Scare: from the CNN Perspectives series on the Cold War. Read transcripts of trials and interviews with participants; get background on the major players from CNN's own research on the topic.
The Legacy of McCarthyism by Schrecker, Ellen.
Kazan and Miller: "Long, Bitter Debate From the '50's: Views of Kazan and His Critics". New York Times, May 3, 1988
Edward R. Murrow reported on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. With this report he helped pierce the bubble of McCarthy's demagoguery. CBS-TV (See It Now); March 9, 1954 - read the transcript and Joseph R. McCarthy's reply. CBS-TV; April 6, 1954

Walter Cronkite marks the 50th anniversary of the above mentioned Edward R. Murrow event. NPR; March 9, 2004 (12:35)
McCarthy Behind Closed Doors: After 50 years in a sealed location, transcripts from closed door hearings of The Permanent Senate Subcommittee of Investigations have been made public. The documents reveal Senator Joseph McCarthy out of the crusading spotlight which held the nation riveted. Senate historian Donald Ritchie. From WBUR, May 05, 2003 (Real 2:03)

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