Puritan Salem Puritan Salem

Witch TrialsWitch Trials

Great AwakeningGreat Awakening

Growth in Salem TownGrowth in Salem Town

Spreads inland quickly so a new community Spreads inland quickly so a new community forms – Salem Village.forms – Salem Village.

““Villagers” want own Church, Minister & Villagers” want own Church, Minister & New Meeting House.New Meeting House.

Early support by “Town” declines over Early support by “Town” declines over political influence – access to property, family political influence – access to property, family inheritances and wealth.inheritances and wealth.

““Village” Leadership ToughVillage” Leadership Tough

““Village” Minister Parris challenges “Town” powers - Village” Minister Parris challenges “Town” powers -

the prominent Putnam family, living along border of the prominent Putnam family, living along border of

“Town” and “Village”. “Town” and “Village”.

Battle is over influence in community affairs.Battle is over influence in community affairs.

““Village” seeks more independence from “Town”Village” seeks more independence from “Town”

““Town” officials vote against “Village” on many Town” officials vote against “Village” on many issuesissues

Becomes rich vs. poor struggleBecomes rich vs. poor struggle

Salem Accusers & Salem Accusers & DefendersDefenders

Targeted AccusationsTargeted Accusations

Minister Parris and his allies accused Minister Parris and his allies accused

vulnerable Putnam family members and vulnerable Putnam family members and

friends to intimidate them and force them to friends to intimidate them and force them to

back off their political goals in Salem Village.back off their political goals in Salem Village.

The June 10, 1692 hanging of Bridget BishopThe June 10, 1692 hanging of Bridget Bishop

Gory StatisticsGory Statistics

- At least four accused witches had died in prison.- At least four accused witches had died in prison.

- One to two hundred other persons were arrested and imprisoned on - One to two hundred other persons were arrested and imprisoned on witchcraft charges.witchcraft charges.

- Two dogs were executed as suspected accomplices of witches.  - Two dogs were executed as suspected accomplices of witches. 

From June through September of 1692:From June through September of 1692:

- 19 men and women, convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows - 19 men and women, convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging. Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging.

- Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy - Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges.stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges.

Theories About HowTheories About How Girls affected by symptoms of “possession” were Girls affected by symptoms of “possession” were

encouraged to fake them by Parris & his encouraged to fake them by Parris & his supporters.supporters.

Girls from broken families were seeking attention, Girls from broken families were seeking attention, but went to far… but went to far…

Victims of “ergot poisoning”. Ergot is a fungus Victims of “ergot poisoning”. Ergot is a fungus onon bread that produces the chemical LSD. bread that produces the chemical LSD.

From From ScienceScience Vol. 192 (2 April 1976) Vol. 192 (2 April 1976)

Great AwakeningGreat Awakening Awakenings resulted often after times of stress Awakenings resulted often after times of stress

in communities.in communities.

Periods of renewed “piety” and devotion.Periods of renewed “piety” and devotion.

1739-1769 – George Whitfield “acted” out 1739-1769 – George Whitfield “acted” out sermons – brought back many who had sermons – brought back many who had strayed.strayed.

Great AwakeningGreat Awakening

Jonathan Edwards – Church attendance is not Jonathan Edwards – Church attendance is not enough to gain salvation – must FEEL sin!enough to gain salvation – must FEEL sin!

““Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” a fiery sermon that scared people.a fiery sermon that scared people.

Resulted in interest in higher education – Resulted in interest in higher education – Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, DartmouthDartmouth