Research Topics for the Introduction
The Crucible
Directions:
1. Each group will have the opportunity to select one topic.
2. Each student will research, read and print one article about his/her topic using one of the following search engines: EBSCO, .gov, .edu, .org
3. Do NOT use the following sources: Wikipedia, .com
4. Read your article before you print it.
5. Your article must have at least one full page of text (excluding the publishing information).
6. Next class period, you and your group members will have class time to develop a six-to-eight minute presentation about your topic.
7. Students will give their presentations on Fri., 9/3 (A) and Tu., 9/7.
8. Period 5: Your articles will be due on Wed., 9/1 (A).
9. There are three questions listed for each topic. The questions listed are included to help you get started. As juniors, you should be able to read your article and identify additional information that will make your presentation effective, informative and between six and eight minutes in length.
Topic 1: Arthur Miller
1. Who was Arthur Miller? (Provide background information.)
2. Why did Miller write The Crucible?
3. In how many countries has this play been performed?
Topic 2: Senator Joe McCarthy and McCarthyism
1. Who was Joe McCarthy? (Provide background information.)
2. What was McCarthyism?
3. Describe the Army-McCarthy Trials.
Topic 3: The Red Scare
1. What was The Red Scare? (Provide background information.)
2. Why were Americans scared of Communism?
3. What lead to The Red Scare?
Topic 4: Salem Witch Trials
1. Describe The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693.
2. How was witchcraft viewed in 17th century New England?
3. What caused The Salem Witch Trials?
Topic 5: Blacklisting in the 1940s and 1950s
1. Describe the blacklists and the impact felt by those who were on the list and accused?
2. People from which fields and/or careers were on the blacklists?
3. The witnesses who were subpoenaed to testify at the trials faced what dilemma?
Topic 6: House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
1. What was the purpose of this group?
2. When and why was this group started?
3. In the 1940s and 1950s, why did the HUAC go after people who worked in Hollywood?
Topic 7: Why did the Puritans leave England?
1. Describe the religious climate in England in the early 1600s.
2. Why did the Puritans become dissatisfied with the Church of England in the early 1600s and choose to immigrate to the New World?
3. What was the “Doctrine of Predestination” and how did this impact the daily lives of the Puritans? Why did the Puritans leave England?
Topic 8: Puritans and Predestination
1. The Puritans believed in Predestination. What was this?
2. Describe how the belief in "Predestination" affected the way in which
the Puritans lived.
3. Puritans created the first formal school in this country. Describe the
school system established by the Puritans.