1. Salem, Massachusetts 1692 Salem Witch Trials

2. Why Salem Still Haunts Us Fascination with Witches Fascination with Witches A Stain on American History A Stain on American History How Could an Entire Community Engage in Such Horrific Acts? How Could an Entire Community Engage in Such Horrific Acts? 140 people accused of practicing witchcraft 140 people accused of practicing witchcraft Twenty accused witches executed. Twenty accused witches executed.

3. Salem—the Village History 1630: John Winthrop is elected the first governor. 1630: John Winthrop is elected the first governor. “A Model of Christian Charity” “A Model of Christian Charity” “City of a Hill” “City of a Hill” 1641: English law makes witchcraft a capital crime. 1641: English law makes witchcraft a capital crime. November, 1689: Samuel Parris is named the new minister of Salem, and Salem Village Church is formed. November, 1689: Samuel Parris is named the new minister of Salem, and Salem Village Church is formed.

4. In Times of Hardship Can we watch each other without judging each other? In times of hardship, in tight knit communities, people began to look for people to blame for their problems. People believed that witches had a secret pact with the devil Hardships Blamed on Witches: Failed crops The death of livestock People becoming ill Sudden accidental death

5. Puritan Life Society centered around the church. The younger generation did not share the same strict religious views.

6. Strange Behavior In January of 1692, a group of girls in Salem Village, MA began to exhibit strange behavior In January of 1692, a group of girls in Salem Village, MA began to exhibit strange behavior blasphemous screaming blasphemous screaming convulsive seizures convulsive seizures trance-like states trance-like states mysterious spells. mysterious spells. Physicians concluded that only the influence of Satan could be responsible for the girls’ afflictions. Physicians concluded that only the influence of Satan could be responsible for the girls’ afflictions. Pressured to identify the source of their affliction, the girls named three women as witches. Pressured to identify the source of their affliction, the girls named three women as witches.

7. Causes for the Girls’ Actions Witchcraft Witchcraft Jealousy Jealousy Repression Repression Hysteria Hysteria Guilt Guilt Boredom Boredom

8. Map of Salem Can any deductions be made from this map?

9. Characteristics of “Witch” Trials 1. Pressure of Social Forces 2. Stigmatization of the Accused 3. Climate of Fear 4. Resemblance to a Fair Trial 5. Simulated Evidence/Expert Testimony

10. Why the hysteria ended Doubts grow when respected citizens are convicted and executed. Doubts grow when respected citizens are convicted and executed. Accusations of witchcraft include the powerful and well-connected. Accusations of witchcraft include the powerful and well-connected. The educated elite of Boston pressure Gov. to exclude spectral evidence The educated elite of Boston pressure Gov. to exclude spectral evidence

12. What Would You Do? 1.Flee Salem 2.Accuse someone else. 3.Confess, even though you are innocent. 4.Plead innocent and stand for trial. 5.Refuse to stand trial and face the consequences.