Puritan Salem
Witch Trials
Great Awakening
Growth in Salem Town
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Spreads inland quickly so a new community
forms – Salem Village.
“Villagers” want own Church, Minister &
New Meeting House.
Early support by “Town” declines over
political influence – access to property, family
inheritances and wealth.
“Village” Leadership Tough
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“Village” Minister Parris challenges “Town” powers the prominent Putnam family, living along border of
“Town” and “Village”.
Battle is over influence in community affairs.
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“Village” seeks more independence from “Town”
“Town” officials vote against “Village” on many
issues
Becomes rich vs. poor struggle
Salem Accusers &
Defenders
Targeted Accusations
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Minister Parris and his allies accused
vulnerable Putnam family members and
friends to intimidate them and force them
to back off their political goals in Salem
Village.
The June 10, 1692 hanging of Bridget Bishop
Gory Statistics
From June through September of 1692:
- 19 men and women, 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.
- At least four accused witches had died in prison.
- One to two hundred other persons were arrested and imprisoned on
witchcraft charges.
- Two dogs were executed as suspected accomplices of witches.
Theories About How
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Girls affected by symptoms of “possession” were
encouraged to fake them by Parris & his
supporters.
Girls from broken families were seeking attention,
but went to far…
Victims of “ergot poisoning”. Ergot is a fungus
on bread that produces the chemical LSD.
From Science Vol. 192 (2 April
1976)
Great Awakening
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Awakenings resulted often after times of stress
in communities.
Periods of renewed “piety” and devotion.
1739-1769 – George Whitfield “acted” out
sermons – brought back many who had
strayed.
Great Awakening
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Jonathan Edwards – Church attendance is not
enough to gain salvation – must FEEL sin!
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
a fiery sermon that scared people.
Resulted in interest in higher education –
Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth