Labor in the Colonies and the Salem Witch Trials Lecture 1.3

Salem Witch Trials Directed toward the poor, elderly, and the homeless. Colonists wanted to “purify” society Occurred in Massachusetts Bay colony

Possible Witch Trial? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtqorkL-v8

4 Theories behind the Salem Witch Trials Mass hysteria caused by an over zealous religious faith all fueled by superstition, panic, and rumor. Tituba, A West Indian indentured servant recently imported to a household in Salem, had been telling stories and folklore about demons and spells to several young girls who, in turn, spread the stories through the neighborhood. Such stories of witches and demons and spells to ward them off or attract them had always been in circulation, but under the influence of an “authority” like Tituba, they took root in the minds of some very impressionable adolescent girls and spread. Rye mold which contain the chemical basis for LSD. Mold on rye bread and mushrooms containing a hallucinogenic chemicals have been blamed for many historical incidents from the Spanish Inquisition to a form of Medieval mania called Dancing Mania. Economic jealousy of fringe groups in the small culture who felt disenfranchised and relatively deprived and who intended to get revenge on the landholders and wealthy citizens. A Spiritual realm invisible to the eye which is inhabited by demons and angels and who interact with humans either to cause grief and havoc or protect and give good counsel. This, of course, is the traditional theory subscribed to by religious folks world-wide.

Indentured Servants They would agree to work 5-7 years in exchange for passage to the “New World” Provided a way for the poor to work their way into the colonies After 5-7 years of service, they were freed

Bacon’s Rebellion First rebellion between working class and government in the colonies Nathaniel Bacon was angered by Native American attacks in the frontier Virginia’s governor was driven away and Jamestown was burnt

Transition to slavery Indentured servants were not permanent Slaves were free You could get more unskilled labor

Slavery Slavery became legal in Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland, New York and New Jersey

Slave Trade #16: Triangular Trade was the system in which sugar was taken from the Caribbean to Europe and New England, Profits would then purchase slaves from West Africa, who were brought to the Caribbean to purchase more sugar. #17: Middle Passage was the horrific journey from West Africa to the Caribbean. Slaves were chained below deck with little space, food and water.

Put away your notes and take out a sheet of paper!!!! What were indentured servants? What was the significance of the bacon’s Rebellion? List one reason why the colonies transitioned from indentured servitude to slave labor?

Colonist Journal entry Write a journal entry as if you were an American colonist in the colonies 1st Paragraph- Personal What is your name? Where are you from? Why did you come to the colonies? Where do you live? How did you get there? 2nd paragraph- Life on the colony What is your job/How do you make money? Do you have a family? Do you have contact with Native Americans? Do you like it in the New World? Why or Why not?

Knights Charge 9/26… on a sheet of paper… What is this political cartoon saying…