Salem Witch Trials
McCarthy Era
Contemporary Time
100
What was the purpose of using a scapegoat? How is it connected with fear, suspicion, and paranoia. Who was guilty of using a scapegoat?
It was to turn the attention away from oneself. People feared they would be accused, so they made sure they weren't by turning everyone's attention onto someone else. Lots of people used scapegoats.
100
Who is the McCarthy Era Named After?
Joseph McCarthy
100
What event has caused people to become scared of flying?
9/11 Terrorist Attack
200
Why did the people of Salem fear witchcraft?
Witchcraft was an act in which a person had made compact with the devil. As a result, the said person would not be granted permission into Heaven. Heaven was the place where all good Christians' souls would go when they had passed. Being a very devout Christian town they were, any speak of the devil would frighten them and send everyone into a mass of hysteria.
200
The fear that McCarthy had built up in people about Communism had sparked what other emotion in people?
Paranoia
200
Everyone has at least one fear. A person's fear differs depending on the person. The fear could be a trivial one or it could be a really serious one. Name two fears you have.
Open ended question.
300
Why is the simile fear is like a wildfire accurate?
Once fear starts, it's hard to stop and it can transfer from person to person, spreading further. There is damage left behind after events happen because of fear.
300
Why did people fear McCarthy?
McCarthy's political ranking made him a powerful man. With tng this in mind, McCarthy also used his intimidation to instill fear into people. This fear people had was not just because they feared McCarthy, but also because they feared what McCarthy was telling them.
300
What do some Americans think about Muslims after all the terrorist attacks?
All Muslims are connected with terrorism.
400
How did fear cloud the townspeople's judgement?
Fear was able to overwhelm the townspeople so much that they would kill the accused "witches" without any proof. People were so easily ready to trust whatever the girls were saying. There was never any doubt that they girls were ever pretending about any of it.
400
Why were people so paranoid about being around others at the time?
People at the time were paranoid to an extreme. It came to a point where a person couldn't go out in public without thinking that everyone else around him/her was a communist.
400
In today's world, whenever there is an attack of any kind, anywhere in the country, many people take the big leap and assume it's terrorist attacking, why is that?
When fear is present in someone's mind, especially if their life is at risk, they tend to think the worst has happened. Even if they aren't remotely near the attack, people tend to jump right to terrorism because that's the worst case scenario. Fear makes people think about the very worst happening at any time.
500
Why is fear such a powerful emotion?
It has the ability to cloud one's judgement. When fear has overtaken a person, the person tends to think about the worst happening and in turn will make rash decisions. There is no logic behind a fear stricken person's actions.
500
What aspect did McCarthy have that was similar to that of the accusers of the Salem Witch Trials?
McCarthy, along with the accusers of the witch trials all, completely disregarded what was true when accusing someone. This frightened many people because McCarthy would accuse anyone no matter where who they were. McCarthy went as far as accusing military personnel because he was so paranoid about communism taking over the country.
500
How is stereotyping and racism interconnected with fear?
In the news and on social media, we see things that cause fear to build up inside. With that in mind, whenever we see a person of the same race, we as a general whole, tend to think back to what was seen earlier and are quick to make assumptions that that specific person we are seeing at this moment are just like the others, when that is not the case. Fear is one of the reason why stereotyping and racism has increased in past years. Fear clouds our judgement and makes us think that every person of that race is just like the other bad person we saw before, when in fact they aren't.
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