Hysteria In The Salem Witch Trials
Cultivation of Hysteria in The Salem Witch Trials and McCarthy Hearings
Mass Hysteria played a role in both the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy hearings affecting the outcome of those who were accused. The dictionary defines Mass Hysteria as a condition affecting a group of persons, characterized by excitement or anxiety, irrational behavior or beliefs, or inexplicable symptoms of illness. In The Salem Witch Trials Abigail Williams proposed that Elizabeth Proctor is a witch and other girls follow with that accusation believing Abigail. In The McCarthy hearings Joseph McCarthy using his power as a Political leader convincing many people of being associated with communism. Due to these points mass hysteria played a role in both the Salem
Witch Trials and the McCarthy Hearings.
“Mass Hysteria is more common than we think” Gary Small States. “Often a physical culprit is discovered, but psychological stress and anxiety are sometimes the cause.” Mass Hysteria Can Strike Anywhere, Anytime, Gary Small. The article continues to say that when we are faced with uncertainty that we want an explanation. Our minds tend to put us in a state of anxiety when we don't know the answer to everything in certain situations.
In the case of the Salem Witch Trials Abigail Williams was a callow young woman who became enamoured with another woman’s husband and took advantage of him in a weak moment. When she realized he no longer had any desire for her, all she desired was revenge. Most unexplained illness during this time period were blamed on Witchcraft, or the acts of the Devil a common scapegoat of the times. When Abigail’s cousin became ill she thought it was the perfect opportunity to blame Mrs. Proctor. As attention toward Abigail increased she thrived and fermented throughout Salem.
The McCarthy hearings began in 1954 when Joseph McCarthy started to accuse people of communism in the United States.While a small number of the accused may have been revolutionaries, most others were the victims of false allegations or had done nothing more than exercise their right to join a political party. At first Mccarthy claimed a large amount of people practicing communism but often changed his number throughout the hearings. Many then came to question the words of Joseph McCarthy. The American people began to see him as a cruel senator from Wisconsin.
Mass Hysteria played a role in both the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy hearings affecting the outcome of those who were accused. The dictionary defines Mass Hysteria as a condition affecting a group of persons, characterized by excitement or anxiety, irrational behavior or beliefs, or inexplicable symptoms of illness. In The Salem Witch Trials Abigail Williams proposed that Elizabeth Proctor is a witch and other girls follow with that accusation believing Abigail. In The McCarthy hearings Joseph McCarthy using his power as a Political leader convincing many people of being associated with communism. Due to these points mass hysteria played a role in both the Salem
Witch Trials and the McCarthy Hearings.
“Mass Hysteria is more common than we think” Gary Small States. “Often a physical culprit is discovered, but psychological stress and anxiety are sometimes the cause.” Mass Hysteria Can Strike Anywhere, Anytime, Gary Small. The article continues to say that when we are faced with uncertainty that we want an explanation. Our minds tend to put us in a state of anxiety when we don't know the answer to everything in certain situations.
In the case of the Salem Witch Trials Abigail Williams was a callow young woman who became enamoured with another woman’s husband and took advantage of him in a weak moment. When she realized he no longer had any desire for her, all she desired was revenge. Most unexplained illness during this time period were blamed on Witchcraft, or the acts of the Devil a common scapegoat of the times. When Abigail’s cousin became ill she thought it was the perfect opportunity to blame Mrs. Proctor. As attention toward Abigail increased she thrived and fermented throughout Salem.
The McCarthy hearings began in 1954 when Joseph McCarthy started to accuse people of communism in the United States.While a small number of the accused may have been revolutionaries, most others were the victims of false allegations or had done nothing more than exercise their right to join a political party. At first Mccarthy claimed a large amount of people practicing communism but often changed his number throughout the hearings. Many then came to question the words of Joseph McCarthy. The American people began to see him as a cruel senator from Wisconsin.