Time of Change and Upheaval in Colonies

Glorious Revolution King James II instituted reign of terror the 3 years he was king refusing to compromise and executing those who oppose him. He is removed and Parliament asks James’ daughter Mary and her husband William to become rulers if they will agree to limit their power by allowing the creation of the English Bill of Rights.

Glorious Revolution New rulers Mary and William had little interest in the American colonies, English Officials only lightly enforced colonial policies (salutary neglect)

Synopsis of the Salem Witch Trials From June through September of 1692, nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging. Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges.

Synopsis of the Trials Hundreds of others faced accusations of witchcraft. Dozens languished in jail for months without trials.  Then, almost as soon as it had begun, the hysteria that swept through Puritan Massachusetts ended.

Causes of the Witch Hysteria Governmental Instability The provincial government was in transition because of the removal of Sir Edmund Andros, (who was appointed by the king to rule over the newly-created Dominion of New England) due to discontent with his methods and beliefs, The government responded too slowly to prevent the executions of twenty due to this hysteria.

Causes of the Witch Hysteria Many other factors contributed to this hysteria: Generational strife Tensions between agricultural Salem Village and commercial Salem Town Possibly an outbreak of food poisoning that may have caused hallucinations The Salem Witch trials were indicative of the times, which was marked by war, economic and political disruption, and erosion of the society’s utopian vision

Video Watch Caused Salem Witch Trials What do you think caused the Witch Trials? Could it happen again? Has it happened?

The Great Awakening 1730-1740 gave colonists a shared national religious experience

Reasons for The Great Awakening People felt that religion was dry, dull and distant Preachers felt that people needed to be concerned with inner emotions as opposed to outward religious behavior People in New England can read and interrupt the Bible on their own

George Whitefield Puritan Minster who used raw emotional sermons to reach all classes of colonists Preached that “good works” and “godly lives” would bring you salvation Forced to give sermons in open areas (revivals)

Jonathan Edwards a Puritan Minster terrified listeners with his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Outcomes of the Great Awakening Birth of deep religious convictions in the colonies New churches built to accommodate new members Colleges founded found to train new ministers

Outcomes of the Great Awakening Encouraged ideas of equality and right to challenge authority Birth of charity and charitable organizations