Process

Process:

Giles Corey Pressed to Death

In order to finish this WebQuest, you will need to complete the following step-by-step instructions.

1) Individual/Group Work:

a) Read “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
b) As a group, analyze themes in the play and the trial as
portrayed by Miller. For example, good vs. evil
is one of many themes in the play. Use your thinking
skills to come up with more themes and provide examples of each. Please use MLA style formatting.

2. Individually:

Sarah Good's trial

Use websites on the Resources page to learn more about Salem, colonial New England and read through websites on "McCarthyism" and the Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) trials.

a) Watch video documentary on Salem Witch Trials.
    1) Pay attention to the importance of religion in Puritan society.
    2) Fact vs. Fiction: Identify historical inaccuracies. Compare and contrast
        Miller's play with the information you've discovered on Salem. Write a
        one page, single space paper on your findings.

b) Watch video documentary on McCarthyism and HUAC.
      Think about....
      1) What started the hysteria during the "Red Scare"?
      2) What were the differences between the HUAC and
          McCarthy's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations?
      3) What did Senator Joseph McCarthy have to do with the Red Scare of the 1950s?
          What ultimately happened to his investigation?

c) Aside from Salem and HUAC/McCarthyism, find other cases in American history where
   “mass hysteria” occurred and suspicion was cast upon a group of people or triggered by an
"panic event".

d) Share your "Fact vs. Fiction" paper on "The Crucible"/ Historical Salem and your
     findings/comments on question (c).

3. Individually:

Sen. Joe McCarthy

a) Use this Venn diagram to visual see the characteristics of the Salem Witch
    Trials, McCarthy's investigations, and the HUAC trials. Write down
    parallels that occurred between them. Keep this paper with you as it will
    be important in the final sections.

b) After this, using what you have learned from your sources
    (and in the course!), finish this worksheet in-class on
    “The House Un-American Activities Committee”.

    Be prepared to share your diagram and worksheet with the class.

4. Journals and Biography Project:

Salem Trial

This is where we will split up into small groups!

There will be four groups of five, so two groups for Salem and two for HUAC. Each group will create a written journal, a project and a presentation. You will become the expert for your trial!

Salem Groups:
a) You will select one accused, one afflicted and one judge to research. Each group will research three different historical figures. Together, create a journal (no more than three pages, double spaced) for each of your chosen characters. Using a first-person narrative, please detail their thoughts of the trial. Be creative and show your knowledge of the subject through these journals. Be historically accurate with your accounts and be prepared to share your journals with your classmates. You must have more than four websites in your references section. Please do not use more than two websites found in the resource section.

b) Biography project. Using iMovie (Mac), Microsoft Photostory (PC), Voice Thread, any other interactive medium (or by any any other means cleared by the teacher), your group will select one of the journals you made in part (a) and create a visual biography. Your group can take photos, draw pictures, create models or anything else to create your project.

Prepare your group to present your journals and project to your classmates in a 15 minute presentation.

HUAC Groups:
a) Focusing on the HUAC 's Hollywood trials, you will select three figures involved in the trials in some way from the following: Walt Disney, Eric Johnston, John Howard Lawson, Jack Warner, Ayn Rand, and Ronald Regan. To find more information on these figures, use other websites and the links found on the paper. When referencing websites, please do not use more than two websites from the Resources section. Please make sure you have more than four websites referenced for your journals.

For the figures chosen, use the worksheets and links provided to create three, two page journals (no more than three pages, double spaced) on your chosen historical figures. Be sure to identify that particular individual and create a first-person account explaining their views on the HUAC trials and communism. Disregard the instructions on the paper and prepare to have more than one person help present. You are a group! Please be historically accurate with your journals.

b) Create your project. Using iMovie (Mac), Microsoft Photostory (PC), Voice Thread, any other interactive medium or by traditional means, please create a visual biography for only one person your group created journals for, including their thoughts on the trial, communism and the aftermath. Just like your Salem counterparts, you can take photos, draw pictures, create models or anything else to create your project. Just be creative!

Please prepare your group to present your journal and project to your classmates in a ten to fifteen minute presentation!

5. Debate:

HUAC trial

With the knowledge you have accumulated on the previous steps, you will combine with the other Salem or HUAC group (one Salem group will combine with the other Salem group, for example) and conduct a debate. The debate will proceed as follows:

The debate will begin with the pro side speaking first. You will have seven to ten minutes of uninterrupted time to explain your position. All members must participate equally.
The opposing view point (against the respective trial) will go next. Same time limits apply as given in Step 1.
Both sides will have about three minutes to confer and prepare for their rebuttal.
Rebuttals will start with the team against the trials. You will have at least five minutes maximum to speak. All members must participate equally.
Step four will be repeated for the team(s) who are pro-trial.

a) The HUAC/McCarthy group will go first. Five members will be pro-trial and the other five will be against the HUAC/McCarthy trials. Use your Venn diagrams, resources, worksheets, journals to demonstrate your knowledge on these trials as you create a argument for the side you will support. Your Salem classmates will listen and vote as to who has the most rational argument for their side. You can create maps, posters or any props to support your argument.

b) The Salem group will go second. Five members will support the witch hunt trials and the other five will be against. Demonstrate your knowledge on the Salem Witch Trials! Use your Venn diagrams, resources, journals and logic to create an argument for the side you will support. Your HUAC classmates will listen and vote as to who has the most rational argument for their side. You can create maps, posters or any props to support your argument.

6. Class Discussion: Containing the Fear.

What do you think went wrong or right with these trials?

In what ways can you contain your fear if something occurs in your city or country which is causing panic in the majority of the populace?

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
- Niccolo Machiavelli