1. Pilgrims, Puritans and Problems: Salem Witch Trials

2. Religious Intolerance
King Henry VIII: Church of England
“Purify” church of England: Puritans
“Separate” from church: Separatists
Persecution of anyone not of the Church of England
Many flee to America for religious freedom!

3. Pilgrims (Separatists)
Land in Plymouth
Need rules, laws and leaders: Mayflower Compact
Early form of self-government
Indians are the only reason they survive

4. Massachusetts Bay Colony: Puritans
“City on a Hill”
Church was life and the law
Strict laws, work hard and show no emotion
No worldly possessions
No slaves
Sinners will be punished by God
Devil was real
Supersticious
Lack of freedom, fear of Hell

5. Puritan “Rebels”
Puritans did not accept people who believed differently.
If you disobeyed thrown out!
Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson: Rhode Island (religious tolerance)

6. Salem Witch Trials
Few girls in Salem Gathered to hear stories from Tituba (slave)
Start acting strange (screaming, twitching, barking)
Village asks them to identify their tormentors
Blame behavior on witches

7. Who were accused? Social outcasts Slaves Homeless beggars
Sickly old women
Anyone that was a threat to the social order
Towards the end, even reputable people were found guilty

8. The Accused Tituba the slave - confesses under pressure
Sarah Good – homeless woman
Sarah’s 4 year old daughter
Sarah Osborne
John Proctor – against the trials

9. The Results Unjustly tried in court No evidence 19 “witches” were hung
Oldest was 81, youngest 4.
2 dogs executed
Jails full of suspected witches
Reputations tarnished

10. How did this happen? Superstitions were common
Fear or God’s punishment
Prejudice against others
Gossip
HYSTERIA