What were some of the differences and similarities of McCarthyism vs. Salem Witch Trials?

Question

I do not need any links I have seen all of the internet and back again...LOL

Answer 1

One was political, the other religious. McCarthy was using his trials, which fed on public fear of the red menace, to feed his own ego and grow his legend as a patriot and hero (he eventually died a broke alcoholic). The witch trials fed on religious fears and were used by the accusers for petty revenge or minor disputes.

Answer 2

Both of these cases are thought today to be horrible extreme misuse of power. Slavery is another instance of good people allowing authority to lead them astray. These are three horrible things from the history of The United States of America. Most other countries have had horrible instances as well. These kind of events where minorities are treated horribly can and probably will happen again. Constant vigilance is the only solution. We need the media(newspaper, TV, Radio, web, ... etc.) to be ever vigilant. When these things are exposed for what they are they stop.

Answer 3

There weren't any witches (with supernatural powers, anyway) but there WERE communists. McCarthy vastly overestimated their number and influence - in fact, he took them at their own absurd valuation. I'm sorry for any democratic socialists that got caught in his net, but not for the real communists - in any case, they believed that the American Constitution was just a facade for capitalism, so why should they mind being persecuted? If they went whining to the Constitution for protection, that shows they disbelieved in their own ideology.

Answer 4

Both were born of fear and paranoia.
However, there were no witches under my bed and communists can't fly on broomsticks.