Overview
This lecture examines the role of "rebel women" in colonial America, focusing on witch hunts in New England as a means of enforcing strict gender roles and punishing nonconformity.
Witchcraft Beliefs in Colonial New England
- Colonists believed witches gained supernatural powers by signing a contract with the devil.
- Witches were thought to control nature, influence birth and death, possess people, and use animal familiars.
- Witches could harm others with the "evil eye," touch, or by using "poppets" (dolls).
Witch Hunts as Social Control
- Witch hunts primarily targeted women who challenged Puritan social norms of male dominance and female dependence.
- The Salem witch trials of 1692 saw 185 accused (141 women); 19 people (14 women) were executed.
- Four out of five executed witches in colonial New England were women.
- Typical accused witches were widows or single women (spinsters) who had or were set to inherit property, making them independent.
Profile of Accused Women
- Accused witches often had a history of "troublesome" behavior considered feminine, such as lying, slander, and promiscuity.
- Midwives were frequently accused due to their role in birth and death, seen as supernatural powers.
- Women with reproductive challenges (miscarriages, birth defects) were more likely targets.
Accusers & The Role of Possession
- Witch hunts often began with young, single women accused of possession (fits, pains, fainting, inappropriate behavior).
- These women were often unlikely to marry due to a gender imbalance (more women than men).
- Two main theories explain possession: psychosomatic response to societal pressures, or a safe outlet for protest against patriarchy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Witch Hunt — The pursuit and prosecution of people (mainly women) suspected of witchcraft.
- Puritan Social Order — A hierarchy placing men above women and emphasizing female dependence.
- Fem Covert/Fem Sole — Legal terms for married (dependent) vs. single (independent) women.
- Poppets — Dolls believed to be used by witches to harm others.
- Familiars — Animal-like demons serving witches.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next lecture on rebel women and religious rebellion, focusing on Anne Hutchinson.