Witches and Witch Hunters: The Salem Witch Trials

Satan Unleashed… April, 1692: Several young girls in the town of Salem begin accusing people of witchcraft Many of the accusers included Abigail Williams and Betty Parris Led by Reverend Samuel Parris, Reverend John Hale, and Thomas Putnam, several people are arrested and charged with witchcraft

Law and Order The Court of Oyer and Terminer (hear and decide) accepts spectral evidence: evidence based on dreams and visions to convict Convicted witches are almost always hanged (not burned at the stake) in America 22 people would be hanged, and over 400 imprisoned in Salem alone Among those hanged were John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse

Legacy of the Trials The accused families spent decades attempting to clear their names The General Court formally apologized and reversed the convictions …in 1711. The churches reversed their excommunications in 1712 The state of Massachusetts formally cleared those accused of wrongdoing…300 years later It is possible that many of the Founding Fathers studied the actions of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in determining their charges against King George III in the Declaration of Independence and in creating the Bill of Rights

The Crucible, 1953 In 1953, playwright Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, a play about the Salem Witch Trials Intended to be an allegory for the “Red Scare” in 1950’s America where many prominent civilians were accused of being communists

The Backstory In the play… John Proctor is 40 (not 60 like the real one) Abigail is 21 While we don’t know the cause of the actual trials… …In the play, John had an affair and cheated on his wife Elizabeth with Abby! When John tries to avoid Abby, she begins accusing people of witchcraft in order to kill Elizabeth!

Abigail Williams Had an affair with John Proctor Still in love with him Was caught dancing in the woods with her cousin and friends

John Proctor Married to Elizabeth, he cheated on her with Abigail Really tries to do the right thing

Elizabeth Proctor John’s wife, and fiercely honorable Caught him having an affair, but decides to stay with him Never tells a lie

Samuel Parris Minister of Salem Abby’s uncle, and Betty’s father (His wife died years ago) Owns a slave from Barbados named Tituba

Tituba A slave from Barbados Has knowledge of voodoo chants Is accused of “bewitching” Betty who lies in a coma

Mary Warren Mary knows why Abby is accusing people of witchcraft She’s determined to tell the truth…but at what cost?

John Hale Minister of Beverly, the lead witch hunter and investigator Believes the girls of Salem are possessed

Thomas and Ann Putnam The wealthiest people in Salem, all but one of their children have died Ann and Thomas are willing to believe witches are responsible and side with Parris and Hale

Thomas Danforth Judge of the general court and deputy- governor of Massachusetts Bay Has no problem hanging people to defend the state

Thomas Danforth Danforth is the lead judge and the deputy- governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony Completely loyal to his position and the law A devoted theocrat…believing the state and the church are supreme Concerned with doing what is best politically (not always with what is right) Arguably the true villain of the play… …he was portrayed by Mr. Staten!!!