1. The Salem Witch Trials

2. Causes Religion Puritans thought any odd behavior could be a sign of witchcraft

3. Causes Cont. Politics Many people were accused because it benefited the accuser financially or socially

4. Causes Cont. Boredom There was not much to do in 1692 Salem. The accusations entertained the young girls

5. Causes Cont. Social Class Some accusations were made to try and remove undesirables from the town.

6. Causes Cont. Weak Leadership Reverend Parris did little to quiet the rumors of witchcraft.

7. Causes Cont. Nobody Stopped them Many in Salem were against the child but none had the courage to speak out against them.

8. Events January 1692 Betty Parris daughter of Samuel Parris comes down with mysterious illness.

9. Feb. 1692 Dr. Griggs, the only doctor in town concludes the girls are bewitched.

10. Feb 29, 1692 Tituba Reverend Parris’ slave, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne are arrested for witchcraft.

11. March 1692 All 3 are examined Tituba Confesses All 3 are arrested for witchcraft

12. March 27, 1692 The Court of Oyer and Terminer is created to try witchcraft cases

13. June 1692 Bridget Bishop is the 1st person convicted of witchcraft Bridget Bishop is the 1st person executed for witchcraft

14. June 15 1692 A letter is sent asking spectral evidence be disallowed Spectral evidence is when a witness claims a another person’s spirit attacked them or they saw the spirit with the devil. Request was denied

15. Summer 1692 Many people tried, convicted and executed for witchcraft.

16. Oct. 1692 President of Harvard denounces trials Spectral evidence outlawed Governor of MA dissolves the court of Oyer and Terminer Bans witchcraft arrests

17. Jan. 1693 49 of 52 suspected witches released because their arrests were based on spectral evidence.

18. May 1693 All remaining prisoners released All granted a full pardon

19. Results Rev Parris fired 1702 the court of Massachusettes declares trials unlawful 1711 Massachusetts passes a law restoring good names of accused and granting their families 600 pounds

20. Results Cont. 1952 Massachusetts formally apoligizes for events of 1692 1992 on 300th anniversary of the trial a memorial is dedicated.

21. Results Cont. 19 people executed 18 hanged Giles Corey was pressed to death with boulders.