The Salem Witch TrialsThe Salem Witch Trials

Salem, Massachusetts Salem, Massachusetts 16921692

Village caught up in hysteria and fear of Village caught up in hysteria and fear of Satan and demonic forces.Satan and demonic forces.

Start arresting individuals, some being Start arresting individuals, some being hanged, based solely on the testimony of hanged, based solely on the testimony of very young girls. Girls said they were very young girls. Girls said they were “tormented” by the spirits of these adults“tormented” by the spirits of these adults

Led to the imprisonment of many people Led to the imprisonment of many people without trial. Also, several were executed. without trial. Also, several were executed.

What happened? What happened?

CausesCausesStrong belief that Satan active in world. Strong belief that Satan active in world.

He recruits wizards/witches to work for He recruits wizards/witches to work for himhim

Prior witchcraft cases in New England Prior witchcraft cases in New England (Europe)(Europe)

Belief that person afflicted exhibits certain Belief that person afflicted exhibits certain symptoms—Cotton Mather’s symptoms—Cotton Mather’s Memorable Memorable Providences Providences (on classzone if interested)(on classzone if interested)

Fear of the Unknown; Fear of ChangeFear of the Unknown; Fear of Change

CausesCauses A time of trouble--smallpox, strife in church, A time of trouble--smallpox, strife in church,

frontier wars with Indians, etc. Satan busy. frontier wars with Indians, etc. Satan busy. Confession made it easier on people. If a person Confession made it easier on people. If a person

confessed, they could be brought back to God. confessed, they could be brought back to God.

History of Witchcraft History of Witchcraft ExecutionExecution

Bible mandateBible mandate 1208—Pope Innocent 1208—Pope Innocent

III attacks religious III attacks religious group; says they are group; says they are in cahoots with Satanin cahoots with Satan

1273—St. Thomas 1273—St. Thomas Acquinas says that Acquinas says that demons can lead demons can lead people into temptationpeople into temptation

Mid 1400’s—Witchcraft Mid 1400’s—Witchcraft trials erupt in Europe. trials erupt in Europe. Burning witches, Burning witches, hanging, torture led to hanging, torture led to confessions to save confessions to save lives. People said they lives. People said they met with Satan and flew met with Satan and flew around on poles, around on poles, animals, had sex with animals, had sex with animals, etc. Witchcraft animals, etc. Witchcraft became a crime against became a crime against the state.the state.

HistoryHistory Mid to Early 1500’s—Witch hysteria Mid to Early 1500’s—Witch hysteria

everywhere. Mass executions.everywhere. Mass executions. Geneva, Switzerland burned 500 accused witches Geneva, Switzerland burned 500 accused witches

at the stake in 1515. at the stake in 1515.  Nine years later in Como, Italy, witchcraft charges Nine years later in Como, Italy, witchcraft charges

led to as many as 1000 executions. led to as many as 1000 executions. From 1500 to 1660, Europe saw between 50,000 From 1500 to 1660, Europe saw between 50,000

and 80,000 suspected witches executed.  About and 80,000 suspected witches executed.  About 80% of those killed were women.  Execution rates 80% of those killed were women.  Execution rates varied varied

26,000 in Germany 26,000 in Germany 10,000 in France 10,000 in France 1,000 in England, and only four in Ireland.  1,000 in England, and only four in Ireland. 

HistoryHistory1591—King James authorizes torture of 1591—King James authorizes torture of

witcheswitches1606—Shakespeare’s Macbeth 1606—Shakespeare’s Macbeth

performedperformed1640’s—Starts to simmer down1640’s—Starts to simmer down1682—England executes last witch1682—England executes last witch

She was a senile, impoverished woman She was a senile, impoverished woman wanting to end her own life in a dramatic wanting to end her own life in a dramatic way.way.

Events in SalemEvents in Salem Rev. Samuel Parris Rev. Samuel Parris

moves to Salem to moves to Salem to become ministerbecome minister

February—his young February—his young daughter goes ill. daughter goes ill. Having fits, yelling Having fits, yelling out, acting weirdout, acting weird

Can’t explain why. Can’t explain why. Some of her friends Some of her friends began to exhibit began to exhibit similar symptoms. similar symptoms.

Doctor suggests Doctor suggests supernatural supernatural reasonsreasons

September 1662, September 1662, 19 men and 19 men and women carted off women carted off to Gallows Hill for to Gallows Hill for hanginghanging

Events in SalemEvents in Salem People believed People believed

that Satan targeted that Satan targeted children oftenchildren often

More girls became More girls became afflictedafflicted

One girl confesses One girl confesses to witchcraft—to witchcraft—points finger at points finger at othersothers

Girls started pointing Girls started pointing fingers at people fingers at people they didn’t like, for they didn’t like, for financial gain of financial gain of parents, etcparents, etc

Events in SalemEvents in SalemEarly Autumn of 1692—hysteria Early Autumn of 1692—hysteria

dying down. dying down. More and more refused to confessMore and more refused to confessCharges became more and more Charges became more and more

ridiculousridiculousPeople tired of hanging and arrestingPeople tired of hanging and arresting

Things to Think AboutThings to Think AboutMob Mentality Mob Mentality Peer Pressure Peer Pressure Coercion and Testimony Coercion and Testimony Power of FearPower of Fear