1. Salem Witch Hunts

2. Causes No governor or charter to enforce laws in 1692 No governor or charter to enforce laws in 1692 Citizens upset by attacks from natives and French Citizens upset by attacks from natives and French “City on a Hill” mentality “City on a Hill” mentality Codes of conformity – first witches were outcasts Codes of conformity – first witches were outcasts Tituba (slave), Sarah Good (homeless beggar), Sarah Osbourne (old, married servant) Tituba (slave), Sarah Good (homeless beggar), Sarah Osbourne (old, married servant) Restricted activities of young girls caused them to seek attention through hysterical outbreaks Restricted activities of young girls caused them to seek attention through hysterical outbreaks

3. Religion Strict code of morality Strict code of morality Work ethic – salvation depends on good works Work ethic – salvation depends on good works Power of devil Power of devil All sins punished by God – failed crop must be evidence of a hidden sin All sins punished by God – failed crop must be evidence of a hidden sin Witches punished by death as most extreme heresy Witches punished by death as most extreme heresy

4. Economic and Social Division Salem Village – poor farmers, fear of worldly Salem Town Salem Village – poor farmers, fear of worldly Salem Town Rev. Samuel Parris – new minister in village denounces town prosperity Rev. Samuel Parris – new minister in village denounces town prosperity Salem Town – prosperous port town with merchants and outside contact Salem Town – prosperous port town with merchants and outside contact

5. Colonial Punishments Pillory for theft or counterfeit Pillory for theft or counterfeit Ducking stool for loose women, cheaters, quarrelling Ducking stool for loose women, cheaters, quarrelling Repentance stool in view of church members Repentance stool in view of church members Scarlet letter – B = blasphemy, A = adultery, D = drunkenness Scarlet letter – B = blasphemy, A = adultery, D = drunkenness Branding on cheek – SL = seditious libel, M = manslaughter, T = thief, R = rogue, F = forgery, I = sold to natives Branding on cheek – SL = seditious libel, M = manslaughter, T = thief, R = rogue, F = forgery, I = sold to natives Whipping (10-40 lashes) for hunting on Sunday, lying, drinking, pick pockets Whipping (10-40 lashes) for hunting on Sunday, lying, drinking, pick pockets Branks = cage for head with tongue in mouth for gossips Branks = cage for head with tongue in mouth for gossips Bilboes = feet in shackles for theft or cursing Bilboes = feet in shackles for theft or cursing

6. European Witchcraft From 1400-1600 approximately From 1400-1600 approximately Confessed to flying on poles, attending meetings led by the devil, casting spells on neighbors, causing storms Confessed to flying on poles, attending meetings led by the devil, casting spells on neighbors, causing storms 1484 Pope Innocent VIII published report on witchcraft in Germany Malleus Malleficarum 1484 Pope Innocent VIII published report on witchcraft in Germany Malleus Malleficarum Suggests looking for mole as devil’s mark and bringing in accused backwards so they can’t cast spells Suggests looking for mole as devil’s mark and bringing in accused backwards so they can’t cast spells 1515 in Gen. Sw. burned 500 witches at the stake 1515 in Gen. Sw. burned 500 witches at the stake 1500-1660 Europe executed 50000 – 80000 witches 1500-1660 Europe executed 50000 – 80000 witches 1682 England executed its last witch 1682 England executed its last witch

7. Hysteria in Salem - 1692 Jan 1692 Parris’ 9 year old daughter & 11 year old niece had hysterical fits, trances and paralysis Jan 1692 Parris’ 9 year old daughter & 11 year old niece had hysterical fits, trances and paralysis Accused others of bewitching them Accused others of bewitching them May 1692 established court of Oyer and Terminer May 1692 established court of Oyer and Terminer Bridget Bishop was 1 st person hanged Bridget Bishop was 1 st person hanged 20 executed for witchcraft in Salem (most on Gallows Hill) 20 executed for witchcraft in Salem (most on Gallows Hill) Oct 1692 Governor Phipps dissolved the court & disallowed spectral evidence as his own wife was being charged Oct 1692 Governor Phipps dissolved the court & disallowed spectral evidence as his own wife was being charged 1702 trials declared unlawful 1702 trials declared unlawful