Unit 2 - Culminating Project

What are consequences of our instinct to fear?

“When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Dangerous Ideology

Ideology (definted):

1. The body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc. that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.

2. Such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, such as that of facism, along with the devices (such as fear rhetoric) used for putting into operation.

The dominant ideology of the Puritan theocracy of Massachusetts was that the Puritans were chosen by God, and the devil would do whatever possible to destroy them. Religious men who ran their government believed that all their actions were sanctioned by God and were, therefore, absolutely good. Anyone who resisted, obstructed, or even questioned the government’s actions, regardless of how horrible or ludicrous, was believed to be opposing God. This absolute and rigid ideological conviction led to corruptions and tyranny as evident in the Salem Witch Trials.

In The Crucible, Danforth and Hathorne believe they are emissaries of God, and everything they believe must be the absolute, undisputed truth. They never reassess their thoughts or actions. These men are easy targets for the talented and manipulative Abby Williams who recognizes the court’s narrow-minded worldview and works it to her advantage.

“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants, and it provides further advantage of giving the servants of tyranny a good conscience.”

- Albert Camus

Your Task:

Explore the following questions: Where else in history can we observe ideology using fear tactics (that began with positive intentions) but resulted in either corruption and/or tyranny through the use of these fear tactics?

In your group, first pick a topic (see the list below). Then work together to research information about the event - using credible sources. Find evidence of the ideology - either in support or in opposition to the issue. Explore how the ideology began with positive intentions, but through the use of fear rhetoric and tactics, resulted in corruption and/or tyranny.

Then, create a presentation (you can use Google Slides, create digital illustrations/a comic, use Jamboard, create a skit, or something else that you think will help you achieve the goals of this project) that addresses the following:

• Identifies the topic and provides brief background/context

• Explores how the ideology related to the topic began with positive intentions

• Illustrates some examples of how fear rhetoric/tactics were used

• Discusses how the power gained from using fear lead to corruption/turmoil/tyranny

• Shows what the effects of this corruption were on the people’s interests and welfare

• Compares this topic to specific, parallel moments from The Crucible and/or McCarthyism (includes specific page numbers from the moments in the play).

• Discusses how the corruption/tyranny came to an end - or if it didn’t end, what is the current state of the topic/ideology

• Cites all sources properly.

Potential Topics - both historic and modern (if you don’t see one your group likes, propose one):

• Prohibition

• Suffrage Movement (women’s right to vote)

• Communism

• WWII Dictators - Hitler/Mussolini/Hirohito

• North Korea

• Civil Rights topics - from Malcom X to the BLM movement

• 60s Counterculture/Hippies

• China (from their global power to human rights)

• Covid-19

• 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

• Eugenics in history

• Cults: Jonestown, Charles Manson, Heaven’s Gate, David Koresh

• Climate Change

• War on Drugs

• Election outcome 2020

• Vaccinations

• Claims re: Great Replacement Theory

• Or propose something to me that isn't on this list

Presentations:

One the day of our Final, your group will present your composition to the class. Each group will grade and provide feedback on the other group's presentations. We will use this form and this rubric to score them.