In the early 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy's powerful House Un-American Activities Committee claimed the American Communist Party, a recognized political group, was endangering national security by establishing connections with Russia. Although Russia was an ally during World War II, it became an enemy afterward. People who supported communism or had ties to Russia were summoned before the committee to explain their actions, denounce their beliefs, and name former friends and associates involved in the communist movement. Arthur Miller, the playwright, appeared before a Senate hearing in 1957, where he admitted attending communist gatherings, particularly those for writers, but refused to identify others. Although he denied being a Party member, he was eventually found guilty of contempt.

The McCarthy Committee's targeting of innocent and mostly harmless citizens, along with politically motivated persecution more broadly, is explored in The Crucible through the theme of witchcraft. The play specifically portrays events in seventeenth-century Salem, Massachusetts. The hysteria that grips the town at the start of the play closely resembles the frenzy of communist "witch-hunting" in 1950s America. John Proctor's trial, forced confession, and eventual retraction in the play reflect the situations faced by those brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee. By presenting a protagonist who remains steadfast in his beliefs and integrity, Miller expresses sympathy for those targeted during McCarthy’s investigations and advocates for personal and political freedom for all citizens.

The Crucible also delves into political persecution as a tactic to divert attention from challenging societal issues. McCarthy’s hunt for communist sympathizers did little to improve American life; instead, it bred unwanted suspicion and paranoia. To many, however, McCarthy was seen as a heroic defender of capitalism, distracting the public from urgent issues like racial and gender inequalities. The investigators in Miller's play act similarly, refusing to acknowledge that their strict lifestyle may have led some young women to rebel, such as dancing around a fire in the woods. Instead, they blame the girls' actions on the Devil and witchcraft. This deflection unites the community against an external evil believed to be corrupting their town. Unfortunately, much like McCarthy's persecution divided American communities, the Salem Witch Trials ultimately destroy the village’s way of life.