In the late 1940's there was a rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Russia also known as the cold war. As the war intensified the U.S. began to analyze and determine whether citizens were loyal to their country. This was called the Red Scare. The U.S. were scared of communist because of their alliance to the red soviet flag. Communism is an economic system in which everyone is equal and the government owns everything. Of course people disagree. Joseph McCarthy a former American politician who served as a republican U.S. senator made claims that there were large numbers of soviet spies through out the country and people believe him. McCarthyism came into play. McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations without proper regard or evidence. Arthur Miller was a writer. One of his successful plays was "The Curcible". Which he wrote about the salem witch trials in regards to McCarthyism. He chose to write about the Salem Witch Trials in his efforts to criticize American Society during the time of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, because he wanted to show similarities they both had and how ridiculous the whole commotion was.…show more content… In the crucible several characters had to face the tough decision to protect their integrity or their reputation. "Abby, we’ve got to tell. Witchery's a hangin' error, a hangin' like they done in Boston two year ago! We must tell the truth, Abby! You'll only be whipped for dancin', and the other things!" (I.144-147) Marry Warren was explaining to Abigail that they had to confess because either way they were in the wrong. They would either be hung or whipped. This quote shows that people during the red scare were to confess that they were communist because if they lied they would be thrown in