The Salem Witch Trials

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why did the Witch Trials take place?

• Were people witches?– No

• Reasons– Village Politics– Economic– Religion– Weak ministers