The Crucible WebQuest

The purpose of this assignment is to build your background knowledge about witch hunts, Puritans, McCarthyism, and Arthur Miller before we begin reading The Crucible. Each of the sections below has a place for you to take notes on the topics being explored ; these will aid in your understanding of the play. Please skim each site and take thoughtful notes in the Notes section.

Section 1: Discovery Education: The World Behind the Hysteria

Source / Description / Web Site
1 /
Life in Puritan Salem, MA / http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/life/
Part # / Notes
1 / In what year did the witch trials take place, and how many innocent victims were killed as “witches”?
What political issue in Salem enabled the Witch Hysteria to move so quickly, uncontrolled?
Name 3+ hardships or challenges that Puritans faced during this time period.
· 
· 
· 

Part 2: Click on the “Religion and Witchcraft” link at the bottom of the page

Part # / Notes
2 / Name at least 2 behavioral expectations that the Puritan church had of its members
· 
· 
Summarize the basic belief Puritans had regarding SIN:

Part 2, cont.

Part # / Part 2 Notes, cont.
2 / What did Puritans believe about Satan / Devil?
Name the first “accused” witches AND explain why each was considered to be an outsider or outcast.

Part 3: Click on the “Economic and Social Division” link at the bottom of the page.

Part # / Notes
3 / Look carefully at the map on the right. Note the key: Accused and Accusers. Based on what you see, what conclusions can you draw about the accusations of witchcraft that took place. Be thoughtful in your response.
Read the first paragraph on this page. How does this information support OR differ from your conclusions?
Why did Salem TOWN and Salem VILLAGE occupants have conflicts with one another?
Why was there a division within SALEM VILLAGE between those who lived closer to town and those who lived farther away from Salem Village?
Which TWO people are named as being key players in the witch hysteria? Briefly describe each:
· 

Part 4: Click on the “Puritan Children” link at the bottom of the page.

Part # / Notes
4 / Read the first paragraph. List at least 2 expectations of Puritan children that might be different from today
· 
· 
Do you think life would have been better for a Puritan boy or girl? Why?
According to this page, why would it have been easy for girls like Abigail Williams and Betty Parris to get caught up in the witchcraft hysteria?
· 
· 
· 

In order to be eligible to earn a “4” on this as assignment, you MUST complete this section

Reflection: In this webquest you learned a little about THREE aspects of Puritan life that may have contributed to the Salem Witch hysteria: Puritan Life, Politics/Economics, and Puritan Children. Think about this carefully. How do you think these three factors might have made people point fingers at each other as being “witches”, even though the consequences were most likely a death sentence? Use the space below to answer this question. Reference your notes in your response.