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How can we explain the Salem witch trials?

How can we explain the Salem witch trials?. The Trial of George Jacobs (kneeling at right), who was charged by Salem girls (left foreground) with practicing witchcraft. The court found Jacobs guilty and ordered him hanged on August 19, 1692. Importance of religion in Puritan New England.

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How can we explain the Salem witch trials?

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  1. How can we explain the Salem witch trials? The Trial of George Jacobs (kneeling at right), who was charged by Salem girls (left foreground) with practicing witchcraft. The court found Jacobs guilty and ordered him hanged on August 19, 1692.

  2. Importance of religion in Puritan New England Belief in Calvinism → strict social order • community members expected adherence to religious beliefs/social norms and restrictions

  3. Religious Intolerance Roger Williams • Banished due to belief in separation of church and state; belief in fair dealings with Native Americans • Est. Providence (RI) to reflect those values Anne Hutchinson • Banished for challenging authority of ministers and subordination of women • Est. Portsmouth (RI)

  4. The Salem Witch Trials 1692-3 • Belief that misfortunes were the work of the devil; his presence brought sinful behavior • Mass hysteria led to the executions of 20 people, one of whom was pressed to death

  5. How can we explain this event? Misfortune in Salem 1) Memory of King Philip’s War • great losses - prompted closer monitoring of English colonies (and revoked MA charter for a time) 2) Ongoing conflicts with Natives 3) Local political instability

  6. 4) Puritan beliefs weakening • Halfway Covenant 1662 allowed for partial church membership • attempt to maintain church’s influence in the face of declining religious adherence

  7. 5) Patriarchal Society • Principal accusers were young unmarried women • May have been in part a response to oppressive gender dynamics

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