Wrongly Accused
            
             The events of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and those of the McCarthy scandals may be separated by some two hundred and sixty years, but are joined in the sense that elements of societies each sought only evidence of guilt. The events that occurred in these two situations show that even the most advanced of societies can be corrupted or mislead by things that are not true. Today, people believe that something like the Salem witch trials or McCarthyism could never happen again, but these events should be a constant reminder to society that nothing is impossible. Even up to this very day people point the finger at others and blame them for things that may not be true, but they believe to be. An example of this is society singling out a certain race of people, or people of a certain religious belief. People's need for their own success and power may sometimes influence their words and actions towards other people.
             The start of all the witchcraft hysteria began in early New England in 1647. This was the year that the first accusations and executions took place. When we think of Puritans who lived back then, we see them as being very strict and religious. This is a common misconception of them. "Generally speaking, the stereotype of a Puritan as a sour-faced champion of rigid morality is misleading and inaccurate"(Martine 4). This quote shows how easily we can be strayed from the truth. Because people who are seen as being very good can be corrupted so easily by the need for social status or wealth. People may also be influenced by other contributing factors, but the need for power and money are the most largely significant ones in the cases that will be discussed.
             "The story of witchcraft in early New England spotlighted very sharply the power of local gossip"(Demos 246). This statement is very true in the Salem trials, but also in the case of Senator McCarthy. ...