Salem Witchcraft TrialsSalem Witchcraft Trials

What caused the What caused the “Witchcraft Hysteria”?“Witchcraft Hysteria”?

1. Political & Economic 1. Political & Economic Differences – split with Differences – split with Salem Town or stay part of Salem Town or stay part of it? East Village vs. West it? East Village vs. West VillageVillage

Causes – cont’dCauses – cont’d

2. Religion – witchcraft was a 2. Religion – witchcraft was a sin that denied God’s sin that denied God’s superioritysuperiority

3. Fear God was punishing 3. Fear God was punishing them – recent smallpox them – recent smallpox outbreak, fear of natives outbreak, fear of natives

Causes – cont’dCauses – cont’d

4. Government – charter had 4. Government – charter had been revoked, was reinstated, been revoked, was reinstated, but no clear political leaderbut no clear political leader

5. Pressure on children – 5. Pressure on children – playing was a sign of idleness playing was a sign of idleness

(Tituba would entertain them (Tituba would entertain them with tales of witchcraft)with tales of witchcraft)

What happened?What happened? Young girls having fits (convulsions, Young girls having fits (convulsions,

screaming, etc)screaming, etc) Doctors could not figure it outDoctors could not figure it out People thought they were People thought they were

“bewitched”“bewitched” Pressured them to say who Pressured them to say who

“afflicted” them or caused the fits“afflicted” them or caused the fits

What happened – cont’dWhat happened – cont’d

Girls blamed Tituba, Sarah Girls blamed Tituba, Sarah Goode, Sarah OsburnGoode, Sarah Osburn

Hysteria ensued, with many Hysteria ensued, with many people being implicated, some people being implicated, some blaming others to get blaming others to get themselves out of troublethemselves out of trouble

What was the end result?What was the end result? 19 hanged, 1 pressed to death, 19 hanged, 1 pressed to death,

4-5 died in prison, 120-150 4-5 died in prison, 120-150 imprisonedimprisoned

Girls blamed governor’s wife, Girls blamed governor’s wife, people started to question people started to question accusationsaccusations

In the Years After…In the Years After…

May 1693 – Governor Phipps May 1693 – Governor Phipps released those remaining in jailreleased those remaining in jail

1702 – court declares trials 1702 – court declares trials unlawfulunlawful

1706 – Ann Putnam apologizes 1706 – Ann Putnam apologizes for her role in the hysteriafor her role in the hysteria