Salem Witch Trials Lecture Notes

Background

• 1692, Salem Village, Massachusetts: A Puritan community with a deeply religious and strict lifestyle.
• Puritans' History:
  • Settled in Salem 70 years prior due to persecution by the Anglican Church in England.
  • Criticized Anglican Church for being insufficiently strict.
  • Aspired to build a "godly city on a hill" in Massachusetts Bay.
• Salem Town vs Salem Village:
  • Salem Town: A bustling port with regional trade connections.
  • Salem Village: A poor, rural community of farmers.
  • Growing division between the town and village.

Prelude to the Witch Trials

• Reverend Samuel Parris: Central figure in Salem Village.
• Betty and Abigail: Parris' daughter and niece, left in the care of Tituba, their enslaved house servant.
• Tituba's Game: Introduced the "Venus Glass" game; girls saw a coffin shape, leading to fear.
• Strange Illness:
  • Symptoms: Fever, catatonia, hiding, barking, feeling pinched/pricked.
  • Accused Tituba of bewitchment.

The Trials

• Confession of Tituba:
  • Confessed to witchcraft to avoid execution.
  • Claimed others were involved, breeding paranoia and accusations.
• Scale of Accusations:
  • 200+ accused, 50+ confessed, 20 executed.
  • Men and women both accused.

Political and Social Context

• Community Dynamics:
  • Close-knit, with everyone knowing each other's business.
  • Small community politics influenced by neighborly relations.
• Porters vs Putnams Feud:
  • Porters: Newer, liberal, connected to Salem Town.
  • Putnams: Old, conservative, farming family.
  • Feud intensified over land and religious leadership.
• Samuel Parris' Controversial Role:
  • Appointed as a conservative minister amidst growing liberalism.
  • His financial support and leadership were points of contention.

Escalation and Accusations

• Putnams' Role:
  • Major accusers; 8 family members involved in trials.
  • Thomas Putnam filed numerous complaints; his daughter Anne accused 48 people.
• Porters' Opposition:
  • Tried to mobilize villagers against trials.
  • 19 of their associates accused as witches.

Legal System Implications

• Trial Process:
  • Accused had no effective defense options.
  • Accusation often led directly to trial.
• Speculation:
  • Possibility of manipulation by Putnams and Parris to control village dynamics and eliminate opposition.