The Salem Witch Trials

1. The Salem Witch Trials

2. Facts • March 1692 – January 1963 • Dates of the Witch Trials in Salem • Samuel Parris - Minister during the time • Tituba – his servant • Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Parris – niece and daughter • Suffered Afflictions after being caught practicing witchcraft • Became colonial celebrities during the Witch Trials • Victims • 140 Accused • 19 hanged • 5 died in prison • 1 pressed to death • Social Impact • Biggest news and event of the colonies • Governors wife eventually accused – beginning of the end • Increase Mather Wrote • Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Personating Men • Better to let 10 witches go free then to condemn on innocent person • Ended the witch Trials

3. How to spot a witch? • Confession • Usually by Force or coercion • Social Outcast or “Outsiders” • Feared for not following Puritan Values • Physical Proof • Birthmarks, disabilities, unique strength, etc… • Anger followed by mischief • Using witchcraft to punish your enemies • Rise or Decline of Economic or Social Status • Shows the lost of gods grace, or the Devils favor • Spectral Evidence • Cannot be proved – used mostly to convict witches

4. Salem Village vs. Salem Town • Salem Town • Merchant Economy • One of two main harbors in New England • Second after Boston Harbor • Diverse Religion and Society • Harbor encourages diversity of population • Progressive and new New England Society • Salem village • East of the Town • Under towns political control • Basis for conflict • Farming Economy • Family Farms passed on from generation to generation • Land becoming scare each generation • Puritan • Traditional and oldest New England Society • Upset by towns non-puritan values • Bitter about towns control over the affairs of the village

5. Salem Village vs. Salem Village • The Village suffered from strong internal rivalries • Pro-Salem Town • Easter Village Residences = Physically closer to town • Economically and politically more prosperous part village • Large Family Farms, merchants, innkeepers, skilled artisans • Ipswich Road and Rivers connected to Salem Town and Boston • Close economic ties to town and Boston • Creates more diverse Economic Activities • Weak Puritan Values • More valuable land and better farming • Pro-Independent Salem Village • Wanted to separate the village from the town • Western Village Residences = Rural and difficult travel to town • Economy based on small family farms • Farm Land less profitable and difficulty taking goods to town • Limited Economic opportunities because of location • Stronger Puritan Faith • Members of the Puritan elite • Pro-Independent Church – wanted to create a church separate from the town

6. Porters vs. The Putnams • Porters • Pro-Salem Town, Eastern Residents • Strong and multiple economic endeavors • Controlled Village Council in 1692 • Anti-Witch Trials • Supporters received most witch accusations • Putnams • Pro-Salem Village • Generation Land Concerns • Joseph Putnam vs. Thomas Putnam Jr. • Resulted in village Putnam’s loosing their wealth • Pro-Witch Trials • Supporters issued most witch accusations

7. Puritanism vs. Capitalism • Puritans • Communal Society • Hard Work = Godliness • John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” • Madame Bubble • Capitalism • Changing Colonial Society • Promotes anti-puritan beliefs • Salary Disputes of Village Ministers

8. The Five ministers of Salem Village • Lack of Leadership • Minister = Village leader • Factional disputed extended to ministers • James Bayley (Pro-Putnam) • Bayley Dispute = Legitimacy • George Burroughs (Pro-Porter) • Salary Dispute • Accused and hanged during witch trials • Deodat Lawson (Pro-Porter) • Avoid political opposition • Samuel Parris (Pro-Putnam) • Witch Trials • Joseph Green • Stability of Village, did not take part in factions

9. Why did the Witch Trials take place? • Were people witches? • No • Reasons • Village Politics • Economic • Religion • Weak ministers