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 of respect for civil rights. The Salem witch hunt was centered in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1690's. The thing most important about this is the time--1690. …

…They both happened because of timing and outside events. In both cases, the "inquisitions" followed a serious war. In the Witch Hunt, it was the time before reason and science when the Puritans were defending their way of life and establishing the new world. In the Red Scare, it was the time when the U.S. was assuming its role as a world power; communism was different and considered a threat to democracy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**