Witchcraft in Salem was a significant event that took place in the late 17th century in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. The trials resulted in the execution of twenty people, most of whom were women. The hysteria surrounding the accusations of witchcraft can be traced back to a combination of religious, social, and political factors. At the time, Puritan society in Salem was highly religious and believed in the existence of witchcraft. They lived in fear of the devil and believed that he could possess a person and cause them to do evil deeds.

3g. Witchcraft in Salem

George Jacobs Sr. and his granddaughter Margaret were both accused of witchcraft, but Margaret managed to escape harm by claiming that Grandpa was indeed a witch. He was convicted and hanged in August 1692.

Surely the Devil had come to Salem in 1692. Young girls screaming and barking like a dog? Strange dances in the woods? This was behavior hardly becoming of virtuous teenage maidens. The town doctor was called onto the scene. After a thorough examination, he concluded quite simply — the girls were bewitched. Now the task was clear. Whomever was responsible for this outrage must be brought to justice.

The ordeal originated in the home of Salem's Reverend Samuel Parris . Parris had a slave from the Caribbean named Tituba . Several of the town's teenage girls began to gather in the kitchen with Tituba early in 1692. As winter turned to spring the townspeople were aghast at the behaviors exhibited by Tituba's young followers. They were believed to have danced a black magic dance in the nearby woods. Several of the girls would fall to the floor and scream hysterically. Soon this behavior began to spread across Salem. Ministers from nearby communities came to Salem to lend their sage advice. The talk turned to identifying the parties responsible for this mess.

Puritans believed that to become bewitched a witch must draw an individual under a spell. The girls could not have possibly brought this condition onto themselves. Soon they were questioned and forced to name their tormentors. Three townspeople, including Tituba, were named as witches. The famous Salem witchcraft trials began as the girls began to name more and more community members.

Evidence admitted in such trials was of five types. First, the accused might be asked to pass a test, like reciting the Lord's Prayer. This seems simple enough. But the young girls who attended the trial were known to scream and writhe on the floor in the middle of the test. It is easy to understand why some could not pass.

Second, physical evidence was considered. Any birthmarks, warts, moles, or other blemishes were seen as possible portals through which Satan could enter a body.

Witness testimony was a third consideration. Anyone who could attribute their misfortune to the sorcery of an accused person might help get a conviction.

Fourth was spectral evidence. Puritans believed that Satan could not take the form of any unwilling person. Therefore, if anyone saw a ghost or spirit in the form of the accused, the person in question must be a witch.

Last was the confession . Confession seems foolhardy to a defendant who is certain of his or her innocence. In many cases, it was the only way out. A confessor would tearfully throw himself or herself on the mercy of the town and court and promise repentance. None of the confessors were executed. Part of repentance might of course include helping to convict others.

As 1692 passed into 1693, the hysteria began to lose steam. The governor of the colony, upon hearing that his own wife was accused of witchcraft ordered an end to the trials. However, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem. One person was pressed to death under a pile of stones for refusing to testify.

No one knows the truth behind what happened in Salem. Once witchcraft is ruled out, other important factors come to light. Salem had suffered greatly in recent years from Indian attacks. As the town became more populated, land became harder and harder to acquire. A smallpox epidemic had broken out at the beginning of the decade. Massachusetts was experiencing some of the worst winters in memory. The motives of the young girls themselves can be questioned. In a society where women had no power, particularly young women, is it not understandable how a few adolescent girls, drunk with unforeseen attention, allowed their imaginations to run wild? Historians make educated guesses, but the real answers lie with the ages.

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Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials
It all started with the odd behavior of two young girls, but soon enough hysteria and chaos enveloped the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Although the trials lasted only a short time, the city of Salem continues to commemorate the events that put it on the map. This website, from the city of Salem, offers an illustrated overview of the witch hunts and trials with links to notable sites and memorials.

Salem Witch Trials Chronology
The hysteria began on January 20, 1692, and lasted through November 25 of the same year. This chronology describes the day-by-day events leading up to the trials and the trials themselves.

The Salem Witch Museum
It isn't Salem's most-visited museum for nothing. The Salem Witch Museum offers much information about the Salem trials, a virtual tour to other nearby towns caught up in the witch hysteria, and some photographs.

Salem Witch Trials
This site presents lots of information on the trials, including biographies of the accused, trial transcripts, a quiz, a timeline, FAQs, and more. Click on "The Afflicted" to see statistics for the "victims" of the accused. Of these 43 "victims," 27 were between the ages of 11 and 20, 34 were single, and 37 were women.

Associated Daughters of Early American Witches
There really is an organization for everyone. Any woman who can trace her heritage back to one of the original accused — qualifies for membership in the ADEAW. The respected organization is devoted to charity, service, and the rememberance of its ancestors.

Arthur Miller's The Crucible : Fact & Fiction
A scholar of the Salem witch trials provides her take on Arthur Miller's play The Crucible , which was inspired by the trials. She includes a long list of historical inaccuracies in the play, but also mentions inaccuracies that Miller was aware of and took poetic license with. This site also includes helpful questions for paper topics.

CommonLit | Witchcraft in Salem · “Witchcraft in Salem” by USHistory.org (2016) is licensed under CC BY 4.0. No one knows the whole truth behind what happened in Salem. Once

"Witchcraft at Salem Village" by William A. Crafts is in the publicdomain.

Witchcraft in SalemBy USHistory.org

In 1692, a series of strange events that cannot be fully accounted for today broke out in the Puritansettlement of Salem, Massachusetts. Accusations of witchcraft quickly spread throughout the town andmany—especially the women of Salem—feared that they would be next. As you read, take notes on how thewitch trials were conducted in Salem.

Surely the Devil had come to Salem in 1692.Young girls screaming and barking like a dog?Strange dances in the woods? This was behaviorhardly becoming of virtuous1 teenage maidens.The town doctor was called onto the scene. Aftera thorough examination, he concluded quitesimply — the girls were bewitched. Now the taskwas clear. Whomever was responsible for thisoutrage must be brought to justice.

The ordeal originated in the home of Salem’sReverend Samuel Parris. Parris had a slave fromthe Caribbean named Tituba. Several of thetown’s teenage girls began to gather in thekitchen with Tituba early in 1692.2 As winterturned to spring the townspeople were aghast3 at the behaviors exhibited by Tituba’s young followers.They were believed to have danced a black magic dance in the nearby woods.4 Several of the girlswould fall to the floor and scream hysterically.5 Soon this behavior began to spread across Salem.Ministers from nearby communities came to Salem to lend their sage6 advice. The talk turned toidentifying the parties responsible for this mess.

Puritans believed that to become bewitched a witch must draw an individual under a spell. The girlscould not have possibly brought this condition onto themselves. Soon they were questioned andforced to name their tormentors.7 Three townspeople, including Tituba, were named as witches.8 Thefamous Salem witchcraft trials began as the girls began to name more and more community members.

1. Virtuous (adjective): having or showing high moral standards; good, pure2. Among these girls notably included Parris' daughter Betty and his niece Abigail Williams, who began having fits and

hysterical outbursts. These two young girls were among the first accusers.3. Aghast (adjective): filled with horror or shock4. In Puritan society, dancing of any kind was frowned upon or outright forbidden. It was considered idle activity and

thus a sin.5. Hysterical (adjective): with wild, uncontrolled emotion6. Sage (adjective): having, showing, or indicating great wisdom7. Tormentor (noun): someone or something that causes a lot of pain and suffering8. Tituba was the first woman to confess to the crime of witchcraft, but this confession was forced (i.e. due to physical

abuse from Parris).

Evidence admitted in such trials was of five types. First, the accused might be asked to pass a test, likereciting the Lord’s Prayer. This seems simple enough. But the young girls who attended the trial wereknown to scream and writhe9 on the floor in the middle of the test. It is easy to understand why somecould not pass.

Second, physical evidence was considered. Any birthmarks, warts, moles, or other blemishes wereseen as possible portals through which Satan could enter a body.10

Witness testimony was a third consideration. Anyone who could attribute their misfortune to thesorcery of an accused person might help get a conviction.11

Fourth was spectral evidence. Puritans believed that Satan could not take the form of any unwillingperson. Therefore, if anyone saw a ghost or spirit in the form of the accused, the person in questionmust be a witch.12

Last was the confession. Confession seems foolhardy to a defendant who is certain of his or herinnocence. In many cases, it was the only way out.13 A confessor would tearfully throw himself orherself on the mercy of the town and court and promise repentance.14 None of the confessors wereexecuted. Part of repentance might of course include helping to convict others.15

As 1692 passed into 1693, the hysteria began to lose steam. The governor of the colony, upon hearingthat his own wife was accused of witchcraft ordered an end to the trials. However, 20 people and 2dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem. One person was pressed to death under a pileof stones for refusing to testify.16

9. Writhe (verb): to twist your body from side to side (in pain)10. Puritans looked for something called "the witches' mark" or "the Devil's mark," which was believed to be the mark

that sealed a witch's pact with Satan. The accused were often stripped and publicly examined for these marks.11. Pretty much any misfortune or bad thing could be attributed to an act of sorcery: illness, poor harvest, sick or dead

farm animals, spoiled food or milk, bruises, scratches, nightmares, etc. The accusers (i.e. the girls) complained ofbeing attacked by the witches' spirits mentally and physically. Even though there was no way to prove this, the girlswere often believed over the accused.

12. Again, there was no way to prove this. It was taken on faith alone, but it is believed now that the accusersintentionally lied or were caught up in the hysteria to the point of hallucination.

13. Those who pleaded not guilty were almost always found guilty and then killed. Confessing to the crime meant,ironically, that they would live, even at the cost of lying. Another incentive to confess involved property; if foundguilty (under the plea of not guilty) the defendant's money and property would be confiscated from their family.

14. Repentance (noun): sincere regret or remorse; atonement15. Though they would live, the people who confessed to practicing witchcraft faced a number of other consequences.

One, their reputations would be damaged, if not destroyed; two, their confessions were lies they could not take back,and Puritans believed lying was a sin; and three, a confession freed the accused but left them at risk of futureaccusations of witchcraft.

16. Giles Corey used a tactic called "standing mute," in which he refused to submit a plea of guilt or innocence. Torturewas often used on these individuals until they either spoke or died. Supposedly his last words were "more weight!"

“Witchcraft in Salem” by USHistory.org (2016) is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

No one knows the whole truth behind what happened in Salem. Once witchcraft is ruled out, otherimportant factors come to light. Salem had suffered greatly in recent years from Indian attacks.17 Asthe town became more populated, land became harder and harder to acquire. A smallpox epidemic18

had broken out at the beginning of the decade. Massachusetts was experiencing some of the worstwinters in memory. The motives of the young girls themselves can be questioned. In a society wherewomen had no power, particularly young women, is it not understandable how a few adolescent girls,drunk with unforeseen attention, allowed their imaginations to run wild? Historians make educatedguesses, but the real answers lie with the ages.

17. Footnote: The term "Indian" refers to Native American or American Indian people. While attacks on whitesettlements were not uncommon in colonial America, few attacks were unprovoked by white Europeans.

18. Epidemic (noun): a widespread outbreak of a disease or undesired event

Text-Dependent QuestionsDirections: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. PART A: Which of the following best describes a central idea of the passage?A. Once someone was accused of witchcraft, there was no way out; anyone who

confessed or tried to prove their innocence was executed.B. If Tituba had not been present in Salem, any suspicions about witchcraft would

not have been taken as seriously.C. The town of Salem believed it was being plagued by witches, and in their panic

they held a number of unfair trials.D. The girls of Salem purposefully targeted people they hated, fully understanding

the consequences of their actions.

2. PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?A. “Parris had a slave from the Caribbean named Tituba. Several of the town’s

teenage girls began to gather in the kitchen with Tituba early in 1692.”(Paragraph 2)

B. “the young girls who attended the trial were known to scream and writhe on thefloor in the middle of the test.” (Paragraph 4)

C. “However, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft inSalem. One person was pressed to death under a pile of stones for refusing totestify.” (Paragraph 9)

D. “No one knows the whole truth behind what happened in Salem. Oncewitchcraft is ruled out, other important factors come to light.” (Paragraph 10)

3. Which of the following statements best describes how the conditions in Salemcontributed to the development of the witch hunts?

A. Salem was a strict religious community that had suffered many recent tragedies,and these conditions created an environment of fear and paranoia.

B. Salem was a small community separate from larger European settlements anddid not have the proper authorities to prevent these unjust trials.

C. Salem did not permit dancing or any type of fun, and this boredom compelledits citizens to seek out excitement in the witch hunts.

D. Salem was a small community in which women wielded little power because itwas feared that power turned women into witches.

4. Which statement best captures the author’s point of view on the trials?A. The author blames the girls for creating the atmosphere of fear in Salem.B. The author believes in the possibility of actual witchcraft in Salem.C. The author views its origins as unknown but explainable.D. The author describes the trials as nonsensical and without any procedure.

[RI.5]5. How do paragraphs 4-8 contribute to the development of ideas in the article? Citeevidence in your answer.

Discussion QuestionsDirections: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared toshare your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. After reading the text, what do you think caused the Salem Witch Trials? Does any onereason stand out to you or do you think it was a combination of factors/conditions?

2. What might have caused a person to accuse another of witchcraft?

3. The Salem Witch Trials is a period largely considered a case of “mass hysteria”: aphenomenon in which collective fear and paranoia of threats, real or imagined, overtakesthe behavior of a community. In the context of this idea and of the overall text, what are theeffects of following the crowd? What other events may be considered an example of masshysteria? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, orhistory in your answer.

4. In the context of this passage, how does fear drive action? Does fear prevent groups ofpeople from acting rationally? What else besides fear may have contributed to the SalemWitch Trials? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, orhistory in your answer.

Salem Witch Trials Discussion Questions

Instructor: Grace Pisano Show bio Grace attended James Madison University has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in teaching. She previously taught 2 years of high school social studies in several states around the country.

In 1962 and 1963, the Salem Witch Trials rocked the town of Salem, Massachusetts. After learning about the events before and during the trials, use these discussions to help your middle and high school students think critically about the subject.

Table of Contents

• The Salem Witch Trials
• Thinking Critically about the Salem Witch Trials
• Application Questions

They lived in fear of the devil and believed that he could possess a person and cause them to do evil deeds. The outbreak of witchcraft accusations began in January 1692 when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil. The girls exhibited strange behavior such as screaming, convulsions, and fits.

The Salem Witch Trials

In February 1962, a doctor attributed odd behaviors of a young girl to her being a witch. After this, the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts was shaken with accusations of witchcraft, trials and hangings. The small, religious town was forever changed by the accusations of witchcraft, the trials that took place and the death of many members of the community. After learning about the trials, talk with your students about the events and their consequences using these questions.

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They accused several women in the community of using witchcraft to harm them. This led to a wave of accusations and the beginning of the trials. The trials were conducted in a highly questionable manner. The accused were presumed guilty until proven innocent and faced intense pressure to confess to practicing witchcraft. Many confessed under duress, hoping to save their lives, but others maintained their innocence and were subsequently executed. The trials gained widespread attention and sparked controversy even at the time. Many people questioned the validity of the evidence and the fairness of the proceedings. Eventually, public opinion turned against the trials, and they were halted in October 1692. The Salem witch trials left a lasting impact on American history. They serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, religious fanaticism, and a flawed justice system. They also shed light on the oppression faced by women in early America and the power dynamics within a tight-knit community. In modern times, the Salem witch trials have become a symbol of injustice, with many people using the events as a cautionary tale against the dangers of rumor, prejudice, and intolerance. The trials have served as inspiration for countless books, plays, and movies, further solidifying their place in popular culture. In conclusion, the witchcraft trials in Salem were a dark and tragic period in American history. The events serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of religious extremism, mass hysteria, and a flawed justice system. They continue to be studied and discussed to this day, ensuring that we do not forget the mistakes of the past..

Reviews for "Religious Fanaticism and Witchcraft in Colonial Salem"

1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witchcraft in Salem" as I have always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials. However, I was disappointed with this CommonLit article. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for a more comprehensive analysis of the events and the people involved. Additionally, the writing style was unengaging and dry, making it difficult to maintain my interest. Overall, I was expecting more from this article and would not recommend it to others looking for a thorough exploration of the topic.

2. Jane Smith - 1 star - I found "Witchcraft in Salem" on CommonLit to be incredibly boring and uninformative. The article seemed to skim the surface of the Salem Witch Trials, barely providing any new information or insights. It felt like I was reading an overview of the topic rather than a detailed analysis. Furthermore, the writing style was dull, making it difficult to stay engaged. I would not recommend this article to anyone looking for a captivating and informative read on the Salem Witch Trials.

3. Robert Johnson - 2 stars - As a history enthusiast, I was expecting a lot from "Witchcraft in Salem," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The article lacked depth and failed to explore the complexities of the Salem Witch Trials. The author seemed to focus more on recounting the events rather than analyzing the social and cultural factors that led to the spread of witchcraft accusations. Additionally, the writing style was dry and repetitive, which made it challenging to maintain my interest. Overall, I was disappointed with this article and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Salem Witch Trials.

4. Emily Thompson - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Witchcraft in Salem," but it didn't quite meet my expectations. While the article provided a basic overview of the Salem Witch Trials, it lacked depth and failed to provide any new or interesting insights. The writing style was also a bit mundane and didn't engage me as much as I had hoped. However, the article did cover the essential facts and events surrounding the trials, making it a decent starting point for someone who is completely unfamiliar with the topic. Overall, it was a decent read, but lacked the depth and analysis I was looking for.

Hysteria and Witchcraft: The Salem Trials Revisited