1. Salem Witch Trials
1692

2. Vocab
Religious Fanaticism- with an obsessive enthusiasm related to one's own, or one's group's, devotion to a religion
Scapegoat- A person or group that is made to bear blame for others.
Mass Hysteria-a phenomenon that transmits collective allusions of threats etc., whether real or imaginary, through a population in society as a result of rumors and fear
Bandwagon Mentality-people do something primarily because other people are doing it, regardless of their own beliefs, which they may ignore or override.

3. Not the First

4. Beliefs Puritans believed the Devil was as real as God.
Satan would select the weakest individuals—women, children, the insane—to carry out his work.
Those who followed Satan were considered witches.
Witchcraft was one of the greatest crimes a person could commit, punishable by death

5. Theory#1: Fungus*
Ergotism is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, which affects rye, wheat and other cereal grasses.
-Problem: The afflicted only acted out at convenient times, when people came to see them or others were around.

6. Theory #2 Economic and Social Divisions
Salem Village was made up of mostly poor farmers
Salem Town was prosperous

7. Theory #3 Puritan Children
Children must behave
Toys and games were sinful distractions
Boys had an outlet
Apprentices and recreation: exploring, hunting, fishing
Girls were expected to stay home and help tend the house. i.e., cook, wash, clean, sew

8. Theory # 4 Religion and Witchcraft
Because of their beliefs, that there was a God, there was also a Devil and if you did not live accordingly the Devil would enter you and corrupt you.

9. Relate to Today Laws to prevent:
freedoms of expression, search and seizure, due process, self incrimination, rights of those accused, speedy and public trial, trial by jury, fines and punishments, etc.)

10. Historical Events Similar to Salem Witch Trials
McCarthyism
Terrorism