1. The Salem Witch Trials in the American Colonies
She’s A Witch!
The Salem Witch Trials in the American Colonies

2. Overview Main Topics The Lead up to the Trials
The Trials and Aftermath
The Reasons for the Trials
Significance of these Reasons

3. The Lead up to the Trials
Elizabeth Parris (Age 9) and Abigail Williams (Age 11) begin having fits
Violent contortions
Outbursts of screaming
Daughter and niece of Salem’s minister Samuel Parris
Doctor says the girls are bewitched
Not long after diagnosis, more girls begin to show similar symptoms

4. The Lead up to the Trial February, 1692
Parris’ Carribean slave Tituba arrested and charged with witchcraft
Bewitched children identified 2 other women:
Sarah Good
Homeless Beggar
Sarah Osborn
Poor and elderly

5. The Trials 3 suspects are brought to court
Alleged victims in court having spasms and screaming
Good and Osborn deny guilt
Tituba confesses
Says there are other witches working with her
More people accused
Including Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse
Comes as surprise
Both considered upstanding members of church

6. The Trials Newly accused witches accused more people of witchcraft
Hysteria began to spread across the colony
Governor William Phips
Orders Court of Oyer to be formed
Goal was to hear these cases and resolve them
First conviction: Bridget Bishop
Hanged

7. The Trials Many of the accused witches died in jail
150 witches die in entirety of trials
Cotton Mather
Son of the President of Harvard
Said evidence in witchcraft trials must match that of any other case
1693
Court of Oyer dissolved
Public support dropping at this point

8. Aftermath Early 1693 Governor Phips pardoned any remaining witches
1697
Puritan communities commemorate “Tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials”
The Court eventually said the trials were unlawful
1711
Names of the condemned are cleared
Heirs are given financial restitution

9. Reasons for the Trials Belief in Supernatural
Belief that the Devil could give people power to hurt someone
Recent War Between British and French in Colonies
Smallpox Epidemic
Fear of attacks by Native Americans
Behavior of Residents
Suspicion/Resentment toward their neighbors
Fear of Outsiders

10. Why Are These Reasons Significant?
Belief in Supernatural
Very religious community
“City on a Hill” Mentality
Recent War Between England and France in Colonies
Smallpox Epidemic
Both of these cause tension and disenchantment in the colonies among its people
Attack by Native Americans
Adds to fear already there from war and epidemic

11. Why Are these Reasons Significant?
Suspicion/Resentment Toward Neighbors
Many of people charged
Poor
Elderly
Widows
Do not play a significant role in Puritan society
Cannot earn money or do not have much money
Cannot contribute to the community in a significant way

12. Why are these reasons Significant?
Fear of Outsiders
Puritan communities
Close and tight knit communities
Outsiders=> The Unknown
Outsiders have not lived in community their entire lives
Very few if any people know them
Puts their motivations and intentions up for question.