Miller wrote the play during a time of heightened anxiety and fear regarding the influence of communism in American society. Senator Joseph McCarthy's aggressive anti-communist hearings caused many innocent individuals to be falsely accused of being communist sympathizers without sufficient proof.
Miller drew parallels between the Salem witch trials, where accusations swiftly ruined innocent lives based on flimsy evidence, and the rampant accusations and guilt by association that characterized the McCarthy Era. He aimed to caution the public about the dangers of unbridled power, mass hysteria, and the fragility of truth in the face of fear.
Through The Crucible, Miller wanted to highlight the importance of critical thinking, due process, and the need for caution before passing judgment. He stressed that societies must be vigilant in protecting individual liberties and safeguarding against the erosion of democratic principles.