Overview
This lecture covers the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, exploring who was accused, the cultural context, causes of the hysteria, and possible explanations for the events.
Background and Beliefs in Colonial America
- Belief in the supernatural was common in 1600s New England.
- Misfortunes like crop failure or illness were often blamed on witchcraft.
- Superstitions and religious beliefs fueled fear of witches.
The Outbreak in Salem Village
- In early 1692, girls Betty Parris and Abigail Williams showed strange behaviors with no medical explanation.
- Other girls began displaying similar symptoms, causing alarm.
- The community believed the girls were cursed by witches.
Accusations and Identification Methods
- The "touch test" and "witch cake" were used to identify supposed witches.
- Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba were the first to be arrested.
- Accusations often targeted those with poor reputations or who were seen as outsiders.
- Additional arrests were made based on odd behavior, clothing, or questioning the girls' symptoms.
- Possession of healing herbs or ointments was seen as evidence of witchcraft.
Trials and Executions
- Accused individuals were put on trial; guilty verdicts resulted in death sentences.
- Fourteen women and five men were hanged; one man was crushed with stones.
- By May 1693, the hysteria ended with twenty total deaths.
Possible Causes of the Salem Witch Trials
- Mass hysteria and mass psychogenic illness may have driven the events.
- Deeply held religious and superstitious beliefs fueled the panic.
- Long-standing family feuds and village divisions may have contributed.
- Other theories include poisoning from moldy rye and the girls’ enjoyment of power.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Salem Witch Trials — Series of prosecutions in 1692 for alleged witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
- Mass Hysteria — Collective panic or irrational behavior among a group of people.
- Touch Test — Method where accused witches touched afflicted girls to see if symptoms stopped.
- Witch Cake — Rye cake with urine, fed to a dog to reveal witches.
- Afflicted — Term used for those experiencing symptoms believed to be caused by witchcraft.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review main causes and outcomes of the Salem Witch Trials.
- Prepare to discuss different theories on the origins of the hysteria.