Extra, Extra, Read All About It: McCarthy Begins Witch-hunt!

Today you will learn about the background of the Salem Witch Trials.

1)  What where the Salem Witch Trials? What were people accused of? What happened to those who where accused? How many people where executed?

2) In one paragraph, explain what factors led to the Salem Witch Trials. Mention and explain at least two (2) factors.

Directions: Read the section "Salem Witch Trials: The Hysteria Spreads". Answer the following questions in a short essay.

3) Why did Tituba confess to being a witch, even though she knew she was not one?

4) Imagine that you are being accused of practicing Witchcraft. Do you think you would deny being a witch, like Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn did, or would you confess and offer to give the names of other witches in hopes to save yourself, despite knowing it was a lie?

Today you will be watching videos of commonly asked questions about the Salem Witch Trials and then be given a short quiz.

Directions: Watch each video. After you have watched all ten (10) videos, take the quiz and record your answers in the Journal. After completing the quiz, explain any answers you got wrong.

Today you will be learning about a more recent event in American History known as the McCarthy Era. 

Directions: Read the article found on History.com about the McCarthy Army Hearings as well as this article about the Red Scare. Answer the following questions in your Journal.

1) What was the Red Scare? Who was afraid of who? After what War did the Red Scare take place? In what year did the McCarthy Army Hearings take place?

2) Why were the fears of Communist activities reasonable? In 1947, what did President Harry S. Truman do that helped increase fear in the "Reds"?

3) Using the formula you learned yesterday, explain how the McCarthy hearings are a "Witch Hunt".

4) Senator Joseph McCarthy would often attack people who did not agree with his political view and would try to scare people into confessing for crimes they did not commit. Write a short essay explaining the effects of the McCarthy Hearings.

Today you will begin using all the information you have learned to start making connections between the two events.

Directions: You have learned a lot of information about two points in American History that may not seem to be related at first look. In your Journal make a list of similarities between the two events. The list should be written using complete sentences and should talk about many points that connect both events. You will use this list in tomorrow's activity so be sure to do as good a job as you can.

Directions: You are a newspaper journalist in the 1950s. After watching the televised Army Hearings, you have decided to write an article comparing the acts of Joseph McCarthy to the events that happened in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Be sure to write in the style of a newspaper article. A good example of how to get started can be found here. The article should be at least one page typed, single spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font.