2. Salem Witch Trials

3. F.Y.I The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692 and resulted in a number of convictions and executions for witchcraft in Massachusetts. The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692 and resulted in a number of convictions and executions for witchcraft in Massachusetts. It was the result of a period of factional infighting and Puritan witch hysteria. It was the result of a period of factional infighting and Puritan witch hysteria.

4. Religion and Witchcraft Puritans were expected to live by a rigid moral code. They believed that all sins from sleeping in church to stealing food should be punished. Puritans were expected to live by a rigid moral code. They believed that all sins from sleeping in church to stealing food should be punished. They also believed God would punish sinful behavior. They also believed God would punish sinful behavior. Puritans also believed the Devil was as real as God. Everyone was faced with the struggle between the powers of good and evil, but Satan would select the weakest individuals Puritans also believed the Devil was as real as God. Everyone was faced with the struggle between the powers of good and evil, but Satan would select the weakest individuals

5. Where it Began … The trials ensued as a result of two young girls named, Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams. The trials ensued as a result of two young girls named, Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams. They claimed to have been bitten and pinched by invisible agents on their arms, necks and backs. They claimed to have been bitten and pinched by invisible agents on their arms, necks and backs.

6. “ Witches Mark ” A group of doctors and statesmen would examine a person to determine if they had the mark of a witch. A group of doctors and statesmen would examine a person to determine if they had the mark of a witch. The “marks” that were discovered on the supposed witches bodies were often bruises or birthmarks. The “marks” that were discovered on the supposed witches bodies were often bruises or birthmarks.

7. Gender Seventy five percent of the people accused of witchcraft were women. Seventy five percent of the people accused of witchcraft were women. Women were far from equal with men, making it easy for men to accuse women of these acts. Women were far from equal with men, making it easy for men to accuse women of these acts. Women accused were usually reformist in the town. Women accused were usually reformist in the town. Trials resulted in 14 women, 6 men and the imprisonment of 150 more people. Trials resulted in 14 women, 6 men and the imprisonment of 150 more people.

8. The First Victims The first in Salem to be accused of witchcraft were Sarah Good, Sarah Osbourne, and Tituba. The first in Salem to be accused of witchcraft were Sarah Good, Sarah Osbourne, and Tituba. All three of these women ended up in jail. All three of these women ended up in jail.

9. Spectral Evidence The primary evidence in any of these cases, other than ‘signs of the devil’, was spectral evidence, which could not be supported by other people. Only a victim could identify their tormentor, which led to people accusing anyone of witchcraft. The primary evidence in any of these cases, other than ‘signs of the devil’, was spectral evidence, which could not be supported by other people. Only a victim could identify their tormentor, which led to people accusing anyone of witchcraft. An argument with your neighbor could lead to revenge by taking them to court for witchcraft. People could easily do this because no proof was necessary to back up the accusation. An argument with your neighbor could lead to revenge by taking them to court for witchcraft. People could easily do this because no proof was necessary to back up the accusation. Spectral evidence is not credible and is normally backed up by other people. However, in Salem during the trials, this was the only evidence and was considered supreme. Spectral evidence is not credible and is normally backed up by other people. However, in Salem during the trials, this was the only evidence and was considered supreme.

10. Your Accused? If you were accused of being a witch you could? If you were accused of being a witch you could? FLEE SALEM FLEE SALEM FLEE SALEM FLEE SALEM ACCUSE SOMEONE ELSE ACCUSE SOMEONE ELSE ACCUSE SOMEONE ELSE ACCUSE SOMEONE ELSE BECOME PREGNANT BECOME PREGNANT BECOME PREGNANT BECOME PREGNANT CONFESS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE INNOCENT CONFESS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE INNOCENT CONFESS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE INNOCENT CONFESS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE INNOCENT PLEAD INNOCENT AND STAND FOR TRIAL PLEAD INNOCENT AND STAND FOR TRIAL PLEAD INNOCENT AND STAND FOR TRIAL PLEAD INNOCENT AND STAND FOR TRIAL REFUSE TO STAND FOR TRIAL AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES REFUSE TO STAND FOR TRIAL AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES REFUSE TO STAND FOR TRIAL AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES REFUSE TO STAND FOR TRIAL AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES

11. Confessing As the trials continued on, some of the accused ended up confessing to the charges of witchcraft. As the trials continued on, some of the accused ended up confessing to the charges of witchcraft. If you did not confess, then the court would search for evidence of the devil, such as voodoo, needles, or physical marks on your body. If you did not confess, then the court would search for evidence of the devil, such as voodoo, needles, or physical marks on your body.

12. During the Trials Even though witchcraft was probably not going on in Salem at the time of the trials, there were some people pled guilty, Mary Osgood was one of them. She confessed that 11 years past she had been diverted from praying to God by this black cat. Instead of praying to God she was praying to the devil. Even though witchcraft was probably not going on in Salem at the time of the trials, there were some people who pled guilty, Mary Osgood was one of them. She confessed that 11 years past she had been diverted from praying to God by this black cat. Instead of praying to God she was praying to the devil.

13. Pleading Guilty Confessing to the charges was the most pleasing to the judges. Puritans could be remarkably forgiving people. Confessing to the charges was the most pleasing to the judges. Puritans could be remarkably forgiving people. They were not primarily concerned with punishment. Puritans felt that if you admitted to your guilt then they could lessen the sentence. They were not primarily concerned with punishment. Puritans felt that if you admitted to your guilt then they could lessen the sentence. Many people realized that a confession would most likely save you from execution, so even if you weren’t guilty you were better off claiming that you were. Many people realized that a confession would most likely save you from execution, so even if you weren’t guilty you were better off claiming that you were.

14. Convicted Sadly, not even in death were the accused witches granted peace or respect. Sadly, not even in death were the accused witches granted peace or respect. As convicted witches were excommunicated from their churches and none were given proper burial. As convicted witches were excommunicated from their churches and none were given proper burial. As soon as the bodies of the accused people were cut down from the trees, they were thrown into a shallow grave and the crowd would then leave. As soon as the bodies of the accused people were cut down from the trees, they were thrown into a shallow grave and the crowd would then leave.

15. Overall The tragedy of 1692 The tragedy of 1692 – Salem dealt with real people—the “bewitched” young girls, town leaders who fanned the hysteria, innocent men and women, all were accused of witchcraft. –Whether they helped create the witch hunt or were at the mercy of the events, together these people made up a community wrapped in jealousy, ego, fear, and superstition.

16. Resources http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witche s.shtml http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witche s.shtml http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witche s.shtml http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witche s.shtml http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcr aft/ http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcr aft/ http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcr aft/ http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcr aft/ http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/proje cts/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/proje cts/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/proje cts/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/proje cts/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/ http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/ http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/