Not like Halloween Witches!!!

The Salem Witchcraft Trials Witch-hunts were abundant at this time in history. Thousands were burned at the stake in Europe. Small pox epidemic in the colonies Indian raids on small farms England broke the Puritan character in Massachusetts and sent a hostile governor to the colony. People didn’t govern themselves or hold clear title to their land.

The Salem Witchcraft Trials cont. Controversial election of Reverend Parris caused a split— Salem Farm and Salem Village. Each had its own church. Two influential families, the Putnams and the Nurses, fought constantly over land. Parris’ servant, Tituba, taught Parris’ 9-year-old daughter Betty and his 11-year-old niece Abigail, then Ann Putnam Jr. The fits were attributed to witchcraft since the doctor could find no other explanation. Pressured by elders to state the cause of her fits, Betty named Tituba as a witch. Later the girls named Sarah Good, an old beggar woman, and Sarah Osborne, an irregular attendant at church. As time went on, the girls named more witches. Before the trials were over, 19 people were hanged, Giles Corey was pressed to death for refusing to answer an indictment, and several more died in prison.

The Salem Witchcraft Trials cont. At the time court was dismissed, 150 witches had been legally arrested and had not been brought to trial. Reasons for dismissal – The court stopped accepting spectral evidence and confessions of the accused as proof. – Respectable people had been accused by this time, so no one was safe. – Rumors that rich people bribed the court to avoid arrest were circulating.

Puritanism Puritans left Europe to escape religious persecution. Predestination—Divine salvation was predetermined by God. Puritans lived righteous lives to be prepared for being elected if the day came. – If a person was among the elect, he could do no wrong. – Once a person is elected, he is saved forever.

Puritanism If God could elect certain people to be saved, then the Devil could select people to be bewitched. Theocracy—A government that was totally controlled by the church. – You had to be a member of the church to vote and hold office. – If you didn’t know your catechism, you became a suspect.

Puritanism Believed that every man was constantly being tested by the Devil. Once a man sinned he had to make an open confession in order to be saved. – Some believed in confessing to be a witch would enable you to be saved, but another faction believed that confessing to be a witch would bring eternal damnation. – Problem—If a person was a witch, he/she would confess in order to be able to go on doing God’s work.

Puritanism Believed anything pleasant was inspired by the Devil. – Pretty clothes, children’s games, theater, dancing, etc.

Forces undermining Puritanism 1.A person’s natural desire to do good-this works against predestination. 2.Dislike of a “closed” life 3.Resentment of the power of a few over many. 4.Change in economic conditions-growth of fisheries, farms, etc. 5.The presence of the frontier—concept of self-reliance, individualism, optimism. 6.Theocracy suffered from lack of flexibility. 7.Growth of rationality-use of the mind to know God—less dependent on Bible. 8.New immigrants entering the colonies.

Visible signs of Puritan Decay 1.Visible decay of godliness 2.Manifestations of pride-especially among the newly rich 3.Presence of Quakers and Anabaptists. 4.Violations of the Sabbath and swearing and sleeping during sermons. 5.Decay in family government 6.People full of contention—rise in law suits and lawyers 7.Sins of sex and alcohol on the increase 8.Decay in business morality—lying, laborers underpaid, etc. 9.No disposition to reform 10.Lacking in social behavior

Seven Reasons for the Salem Witch-Hunt 1.Revenge 2.Economic gain 3.Relief of guilt (finding a scapegoat). 4.Purify society 5.Explain what they can’t understand 6.Gain attention, power, and/or influence 7.Mass Hysteria (illogical thinking or a loss of common sense).

Test for Witches 1.Pricking for the Devil’s Mark 2.“The Water-ordeal” 3.Repetition of the Lord’s Prayer 4.Laying-on-of Hands 5.Testing for knowledge of catechism.