Witch Hunt Expository Essay Example

guilty, regardless of their reputation (Miller). Similarly, a similar "witch-hunt" occurred in America with the pursuit of communists. The misuse of communism instilled fear in the hearts of many Americans.

The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HAUSA), led by Joseph McCarthy, played a pivotal role in the Red hunt. Individuals were easily classified as communists and had their rights stripped away immediately. Actors were among the oddly targeted group during this period. Due to their affiliation with Hollywood, HAUSA was particularly concerned about the content being broadcasted and whether it contained any communist elements. To verify their loyalty, numerous actors' names were submitted to HAUSA for background checks.

This caused a strong negative response from these individuals because there was no way to provide evidence, only potentially flawed and unjustified accusations (Miller). individuals in industries like this became extremely fearful of working with a communist to the extent that those accused were unable to find employment, leading to their social standing being reduced lower than that of a vermin on the street. Although these individuals shared similarities, there was no explicit racial connection until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Japanese Americans, irrespective of where they were born, were prosecuted and sent to Internment camps that bore resemblance to concentration camps observed during the Holocaust. The US neglected to acknowledge the parallel between their actions and the Nazi incineration camps (Life in Internment Camps). These individuals encountered prejudice and suspicion, as they were suspected of espionage or involvement in military-related professions. Nevertheless, there was inadequate proof to support such allegations and justify their punishment.

Despite the previous discrimination, Americans easily sent these people off. However,

the bombing further reinforced their hateful opinions and prompted them to take unnecessary and drastic measures (Paeans Internment). Regardless of the time period, history tends to repeat itself due to human panic and fear of something that is not actually threatening. Humans have a natural tendency to let their imaginations run wild beyond reason.

The three cases showcased the hysteria among humans, indicating their disregard for their actual surroundings. Instead, they tend to focus on the exaggerated opinions of a single person, which amplifies the situation disproportionately. If individuals carefully considered the rational aspects of each "witch-hunt," they would not have escalated to such an extent. If people prioritized reason over emotions, numerous lives could have been saved, and the contagious spread of hysteria and fear would have been prevented.